| U.S. judge gives Trump ex-aide Manafort leniency: under four years in prison Posted: 07 Mar 2019 06:11 PM PST  U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis imposed the surprisingly lenient 47-month sentence on Manafort, 69, during a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, in which the veteran Republican political consultant asked for mercy but expressed no remorse for his actions. Manafort was convicted by a jury last August of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. Ellis disregarded federal sentencing guidelines cited by prosecutors that called for 19-1/2 to 24 years in prison.
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| Founder of Florida day spa tied to Robert Kraft's prostitution case attended Trump's Super Bowl party, report says Posted: 08 Mar 2019 03:48 PM PST  The founder of a Florida day spa where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was busted for allegedly soliciting prostitution watched this year's Super Bowl at a party hosted by President Donald Trump.
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| Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in border clashes: Gaza ministry Posted: 07 Mar 2019 09:19 AM PST  A Palestinian teenager was killed by Israeli fire during renewed clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave's health ministry said Thursday, with Israeli aircraft striking Hamas positions in response to the violence. Health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Saif al-Deen Abu Zeid, 15, died "due to wounds sustained east of Gaza (City)" on Wednesday night. The teenager was shot during clashes along the border, Qudra told AFP.
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| FAA seeks a truce in dispute between Southwest and key union Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:05 PM PST  DALLAS (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union that their bitter fight could hurt the airline's safety program.
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| Democrats in 2020 Race Rally Around Ilhan Omar Amid Anti-Semitism Flap Posted: 08 Mar 2019 01:00 AM PST  Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand denounced anti-Semitism in separate statements Thursday, while also saying Omar was being unfairly targeted by those who want to muffle criticism of Israel's policies. On a 407 to 23 vote on Thursday, the House adopted a resolution denouncing anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry without mentioning Omar of Minnesota by name.
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| Utah teacher forces boy to wipe Ash Wednesday cross off his forehead Posted: 07 Mar 2019 10:09 AM PST  An elementary school teacher may face disciplinary action after she allegedlymade a young student wipe a religious symbol off his head in front of hisclass
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| Scientists solve weighty matter of Milky Way mass Posted: 07 Mar 2019 09:32 AM PST  Astronomers said Thursday they had accurately calculated the mass of the Milky Way for the first time, using new data sets that include the weight of dark matter. In a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency's Gaia observation craft, a team of experts calculated our galaxy to be around 1.5 trillion solar masses. Pervious estimates put the mass of the Milky Way ranging between 500 billion and 3 trillion times the mass of the Sun.
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| Chris Watts confesses to killing daughters for first time: 'I didn’t want to do this, but I did it' Posted: 07 Mar 2019 12:57 PM PST  Christopher Watts drove his daughters to an oil site after killing wife, Shanann, in their Colorado home, Watts recently told investigators.
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| Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slams 'bogus ethics complaints' over political donations Posted: 08 Mar 2019 07:54 AM PST  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has rebuked a complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission by a conservative group claiming her 2018 election campaign was in violation of campaign finance laws. The freshman Democrat responded on Thursday night to the complaint filed this week by the National Legal and Policy Centre in a tweet. Ms Ocasio-Cortez posted a link to an NBC News fact-check, which directly refuted the notion her campaign had violated any laws.
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| French cardinal convicted of covering up sex abuse allegations Posted: 07 Mar 2019 05:59 AM PST  A high-ranking French Catholic cleric, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, was convicted on Thursday of failing to report allegations of sexual abuse in his diocese and said he would submit his resignation to Pope Francis. Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon and the highest-profile cleric to be caught up in the child sex abuse scandal inside the French Catholic Church, was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence. The court in Lyon ruled that between July 2014 and June 2015 Barbarin covered up allegations of sexual abuse of boy scouts in the 1980s and early 1990s by a priest who is due to go on trial later this year.
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| Trump Organization Calls Cohen Lawsuit a ‘Desperate Money-Grab’ Posted: 08 Mar 2019 07:44 AM PST  "This is a desperate money-grab by a desperate convicted felon," Marc Mukasey, a lawyer representing the Trump Organization, said in a statement. Cohen, who has pleaded guilty to nine felonies stemming from a federal probe into campaign violations and other crimes, claims he's out at least $1.9 million in fees and costs and another $1.9 million in penalties.
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| US indicts Venezuela ex-vice president Tareck El Aissami Posted: 08 Mar 2019 01:56 PM PST  The United States indicted Venezuelan industry minister and former vice president Tareck El Aissami on sanctions violations Friday, two years after naming him a narcotics "kingpin" for allegedly giving cover to drug traffickers. Aissami, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, and businessman Samark Lopez Bello were indicted together in New York and charged with violating US sanctions by using private jets to fly to meetings around the world. The indictment came as the US steps up pressure on the embattled government of Maduro, who the US has branded illegitimate.
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| Heads bowed to the ground, suspected IS members surrender Posted: 07 Mar 2019 10:53 AM PST  OUTSIDE BAGHOUZ, Syria (AP) — Suspected Islamic State group members, including foreign fighters, sat in a long line in a field of bright yellow flowers, exhausted and hunched over as they were questioned and searched Thursday by U.S.-led coalition members and Kurdish fighters. They were the latest group to surrender from the besieged final pocket of Syrian territory held by the militant group.
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| Graham: Our laws are broken and we need a barrier Posted: 06 Mar 2019 06:41 PM PST  New illegal immigrant numbers intensify border debate; South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham reacts on 'Hannity.'
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| Parents charged with child abuse after Olive Garden waitress posts photo on Facebook Posted: 08 Mar 2019 09:11 AM PST  Two Tennessee parents were charged with child abuse and aggravated assaultafter an observant Olive Garden waitress posted about their distressingbehavior on Facebook
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| Wide-Area Walk Mowers: When You Have More Lawn Than a Simple Push Mower Can Handle Posted: 08 Mar 2019 07:53 AM PST |
| SpaceX's Crew Dragon Is Safely Back On Earth. Now it's the Astronauts' Turn Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:47 AM PST  Elon Musk's company could launch humans into space as early as this summer
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| Megaphones and more: Mueller details Russian U.S. election meddling Posted: 07 Mar 2019 11:44 AM PST  While Mueller has yet to submit to U.S. Attorney General William Barr a final report on his investigation into Russia's role in the election, the former FBI director already has provided a sweeping account in a pair of indictments that charged 25 Russian individuals and three Russian companies. Key questions still to be answered are whether Mueller will conclude that Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow and whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Russia has denied election interference.
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| The Army's killer drones: How a secretive special ops unit decimated ISIS Posted: 07 Mar 2019 02:00 AM PST  Although the military has thrown a cloak of secrecy over its operations, the Echo Company of the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is increasingly being lauded in special operations and Army aviation circles.
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| In-Depth Photos of the 2019 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe Posted: 07 Mar 2019 12:36 PM PST |
| 'Tim Apple' goes viral on social media after Trump gaffe Posted: 07 Mar 2019 01:41 PM PST  Apple chief executive Tim Cook turned into "Tim Apple" on social media Thursday after a slip-up by US President Donald Trump sparked a viral moment on Twitter. The Twittersphere reacted after a Wednesday White House meeting where the US president thanked "Tim Apple" for the tech giant's investments and job creations. Cook changed his Twitter display name the following morning, using his first name followed by the Apple icon to get in on the fun.
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| Gov sees Alabama tornado rubble as residents seek to recover Posted: 06 Mar 2019 06:09 PM PST  BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's governor walked a country road lined with shattered mobile homes Wednesday as the search for victims of a monstrous tornado ended and residents salvaged what they could from the rubble and planned funerals for the 23 dead.
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| PM Khan says no militants will be allowed to attack from Pakistani soil Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:38 AM PST  Pakistan faces growing international pressure to rein in Islamist groups that carry out attacks in neighboring India. One such attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Feb. 14, claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Pakistan-based group, killed 40 Indian paramilitary police and led to clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals as India retaliated. Both countries carried out aerial bombing missions last week and even fought a brief dogfight over Kashmir before tensions cooled.
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| How Florida police snared nearly 300 — including Robert Kraft — at spas used for sex trafficking Posted: 08 Mar 2019 01:46 PM PST  The investigation, which ensnared nearly 300 alleged suspected johns, including New England Patriots' Robert Kraft, sparked a national conversation.
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| EU makes counter-offer as Brexit pressure rises Posted: 08 Mar 2019 10:11 AM PST  The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday proposed that Britain could leave the bloc's customs union after the divorce though the offer would not include Northern Ireland which will anger London. The last minute-bid by Barnier comes just days before British Parliament is due to vote on a withdrawal deal agreed between the two sides, in which the fate of the Irish border is seen as a key issue. Both the EU and Great Britain want to prevent a "hard border" that would bring controls between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland after the Brexit.
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| Russia doesn’t appear thrilled with SpaceX Crew Dragon’s success Posted: 07 Mar 2019 02:02 PM PST  SpaceX made history earlier this week with a successful launch of its Crew Dragon capsule, sending it to the International Space Station where it successfully docked and allowed ISS crew members to explore its interior. It's a major step for both NASA and SpaceX, but Russia's space agency might not feel the same way.Roscosmos, the state-owned space corporation of Russia, and its Soyuz rockets have been the one and only ride available to NASA astronauts since the Space Shuttle program was shut down. The U.S. pays Russia a handsome fee, hundreds of millions of dollars, every year to secure seats for NASA crew members who need to go into space. That's about to end, and as Ars Technica reports, the public-facing smile Roscosmos is putting forth may not be entirely genuine.Roscosmos and NASA have what might be considered a marriage of convenience. Both groups are big players in space and both have helped make the International Space Station what it is today. They have a good relationship, or at least appear to get along well, and Russia has shouldered the responsibility of getting NASA astronauts into space.For NASA, this arrangement isn't perfect. NASA has to pay, of course, and the actual launch of each new group of crew members is largely out of their control. Ideally, NASA would have its own vehicles that it could send to the space station whenever it needs to, and that's what SpaceX's Crew Dragon (and later Boeing's Starliner) will provide.It's hard to know exactly what Roscomos thinks about all of this, but it's not hard to read between the lines. During the docking of the Crew Dragon to the ISS, Roscosmos instructed cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko to remain in the Russian arm of the space station.Roscosmos claimed that decision was made for safety reasons, later tweeting a vague congratulatory message (in Russian) to NASA. The tweet also noted "that flight safety must be immaculate." A subsequent tweet in English congratulated NASA without mentioning its apparent safety concerns.Later, when Crew Dragon was about to dock with the ISS, Roscosmos tweeted a self-congratulatory message highlighting the use of Russian-made gas masks by the crew members set to explore the insides of the SpaceX vehicle.https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1102542883087937536Reports out of Russia later mentioned "an unusual smell" and apparently elevated levels of isopropyl alcohol in the air of the ISS after the Crew Dragon vehicle docked. The smell was gone after the space station's air was cycled, but the unnamed source within Russia's space program made sure everyone knew about it.Russia has been critical of SpaceX and Elon Musk before, and it's no secret that some of the biggest names in Russia's space science scene aren't super fond of the company or its boss. NASA astronauts showing up to the space station in a SpaceX capsule probably doesn't sit well with some of the country's top space executives, especially when Roscosmos itself is relying on Soyuz rocket technology originally developed in the 1960s.It'll be interesting to see how things develop in the months and years to come. NASA's first crewed flight of Crew Dragon is expected to come sometime this summer.
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| Venezuela hit by major blackout, government blames 'sabotage' Posted: 08 Mar 2019 12:45 AM PST  Electricity outages are frequent in Venezuela, where the economy is collapsing under hyperinflation, with chronic shortages of food and medicine and a mass emigration of more than 3 million citizens. Critics say corruption and under investment have left the country's power grid unable to function, while Maduro says the problems are intentionally created by political adversaries. Crowds flooded a main avenue of Caracas.
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| What the India-Pakistan Crisis Taught China Posted: 07 Mar 2019 08:57 AM PST  Beijing also shares a disputed border with New Delhi.
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| Can a man wear trainers at work? Posted: 08 Mar 2019 12:00 AM PST  The news this week that Goldman Sachs had issued a decree relaxing its dress codes comes as no surprise; formalwear has taken an almighty battering in the last decade, with a huge decline in suit sales and millennials opting for casual, sports-inflected attire. Which is perhaps appropriate; fewer of us sit behind mahogany desks these days like Captains of Industry. Our lives are much more dynamic and fluid than those of the be-suited Baby Boomers. Hot desking, We Works cultures and a boom in tech and media industries have seen to that. But there's one quandary that the city boys at Goldman Sachs - and readers and colleagues who raise the subject with me - always mull over: what to wear on their feet? See, then, the rise of the smart trainer. Leather trainers, £170, Grenson Smart trainers, which have nothing to do with track and field or the gym and are most definitely for a cityfied, office-centric environment, have been a bubbling menswear phenomenon since Lanvin created the DBB1 trainer, a glossy patent leather shoe that became a sell-out cult item in the early 2010s. Men might traditionally blanche at the idea of wearing these trainers in anything but a casual set-up, but best approach is to think of it not as dressing down, but that the humble trainer has punched up and elevated itself to new style heights. And as we segue into spring and the warmer months, this is particularly pertinent. Heavy-duty brogues and Oxfords of winter start feeling cumbersome, but the likes of espadrilles and deck shoes still fall too far into the spectrum of "holiday wardrobe". Stan Smith trainers, £74.95, Adidas The smart trainer's your saviour here; designed with the clean sophistication of a shoe but with the lightness and dynamism of a trainer; so much so that Italian artisanal footwear brand Tod's trademarked their version '"Shoeker" earlier this year; a hybrid creation that traverses the two. What to look for in the smart trainer? A minimal, smart design that doesn't come with the styling tricks and technology of a sports trainer. Look for a subtle colour palette, simple sole and also materials that will elevate it vastly - instead of tech mesh, plastics and nylons, opt for suedes and leathers. These are the subtle details that will make it a happy partner to a suit or work-appropriate chinos and you'll be running streaks ahead in the style stakes.
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| Seoul Detects Increased Vehicle Activity at a North Korean ICBM Site, Reports Say Posted: 07 Mar 2019 02:05 AM PST  Cargo vehicle movement was reportedly spotted at the long range-missile production facility
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| Ex-Venezuelan vice president accused of aiding drug dealers Posted: 08 Mar 2019 04:40 PM PST  NEW YORK (AP) — Charges were unsealed Friday against a former Venezuelan vice president in New York federal court as authorities accused him of using his office to aid international drug traffickers.
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| American Airlines cancels 40 flights amid aircraft issue, takes planes out of service Posted: 07 Mar 2019 01:13 PM PST ![American Airlines cancels 40 flights amid aircraft issue, takes planes out of service]( "American Airlines cancels 40 flights amid aircraft issue, takes planes out of service") The airline is removing more than a dozen planes from service after discovering an overhead-bin issue that led to cancellation of nearly 40 flights.
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| Rep. Ilhan Omar retweets a post blasting Meghan McCain for her 'faux outrage' on Israel comments Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:42 AM PST  Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) retweets a post blasting Meghan McCain for her 'faux outrage' on Omar's Israel comment
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| Manning faces possible contempt charges in WikiLeaks probe Posted: 07 Mar 2019 11:11 AM PST  WikiLeaks leaker Chelsea Manning said Thursday she could return to prison on contempt charges after she refused to testify to a secret grand jury believed to be investigating the anti-secrecy group's founder Julian Assange. Manning said she asserted her consitutional rights to refuse to answer questions on Wednesday -- even as she was offered immunity -- and that a federal judge will review whether her actions amounted to contempt, which could send her back to jail. "On Friday I will return to federal court in Alexandria, Virginia for a closed contempt hearing," she said in a statement.
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| Smart LED bulbs can cost as much as $60 each, but this one is just as good for $17 Posted: 07 Mar 2019 09:54 AM PST  I recently was at a friend's house, and they were talking about how much they loved their new LIFX smart LED bulbs. Yeah, it took all of my willpower to bite my tongue and keep my mouth shut. Spending $60 a bulb is absolutely crazy when you can get MagicLight WiFi Smart Light Bulbs for just $17 each. You can do everything with these bulbs that you can do with LIFX bulbs, but you can get seven MagicLight bulbs for the price of just two LIFX bulbs. It's definitely a no-brainer.Here are the bullet points from the product page: * ✔ Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant: Voice Control your MagicLight WiFi light bulb with your Amazon Echo or Echo Dot and Google Home Assistant * ✔ Works with IFTTT: DIY Your WiFi Light Bulb Depending on Various Events by Connecting it to IFTTT * ✔ Works with iOS/Android: Personalize Your WiFI Smart Lights to Match Your Mood, Control Your Smart WiFi Lights Bulb Remotely When You are not at Home * ✔ Various Scene Modes: Color Palette, Group Control, Sunlight, Music Mode, Timer, Sunrise, Sunset, Dimmable, MIC Function, DIY Mode, Scene Mode, Energy Saving...... * ✔ Application: This is a WiFi enabled light bulb, no hub required. Multiple lighting patterns, suitable for a showcase, residential, office, hotel, shop, exhibition room, landscaping, indoor, home etc.
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| Trump's Venezuela envoy vows sanctions on banks backing Maduro Posted: 07 Mar 2019 02:15 PM PST  "There will be more sanctions on financial institutions that are carrying out the orders of the Maduro regime," the envoy, Elliott Abrams, told a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing. The United States and more than 50 other countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as oil-rich Venezuela's interim president and increased pressure on Maduro, a socialist, to step down. Washington this week revoked the visas of senior Venezuelan officials and said on Wednesday it had identified efforts by Maduro to work with foreign banks to move and hide money.
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| Why the Turkish President Revels in Conspiracy Theories Posted: 07 Mar 2019 07:02 AM PST  Erdogan has become the twenty-first century's chief peddler of the "Reichstag Fire" strategy.
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| St Patrick's Day 2019: Shamrocks, snakes and how a British slave became Ireland's patron saint Posted: 08 Mar 2019 01:08 AM PST  Erin go bragh! St Patrick's Day is nearly here, with events in honour of the patron saint of Ireland set to take place across the globe this month. Recognised annually since the 1700s, the people of Ireland celebrate their heritage and culture on St Patrick's Day, with the day growing as a commercial occasion rather than a religious event in recent years. While Ireland embraces its patron saint day by holding vibrant, green parades, wearing shamrocks and flying Irish flags more than usual, celebrations also take place in other countries around the world, including the UK, United States, Egypt and Australia. Here is everything you need to know about St Patrick's Day, from the patron saint himself to Irish recipes and worldwide celebrations. When is St Patrick's Day 2019? St Patrick's Day, the patron saint day of Ireland, falls each year on March 17. The first parade in name of the saint took place in Boston in 1737, followed by the first "official" parade in New York in 1766. The celebration of St Patrick later spread to Dublin and other American cities and in recent years has grown in popularity elsewhere in Europe and Asia. Who was St Patrick? St Patrick's exact birthplace is unknown and debated. Born as Maewyn Succat around the year of 385 AD in either England, Scotland or Wales, the patron saint was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave. Working as a shepherd, Patrick was held captive for six years and grew closer to spirituality and prayer during this period of isolation. After a voice in his dream told him it was time to leave Ireland, Patrick successfully fled his master and sailed back to Britain to continue studying Christianity. Shortly after his return home, an angel in Patrick's dream told him to go back to Ireland as a missionary, and following this, he decided to travel to Gaul, to study religious instruction under Germanus, bishop of Auxerre. Later ordained a bishop and eventually returning to Ireland, Patrick began his mission to spread the Christian message. During this time, Patrick converted thousands of people to Christianity and built churches, schools and monasteries across the country. Legend suggests that Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock on his mission to explain the Holy Trinity, teaching his followers that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit exist as individual elements of the combined entity. While some experts claim this story was invented centuries later, the tale has led to the common practice of people wearing the symbol on the feast day. Patrick is also thought to have banished snakes from Ireland to help remove the evil and introduce a new age. But experts claim this is a myth due to evidence snakes never existed in the country in the first place. Some say this was due to the icy waters of the Irish Sea while others believe the cold weather stopped the snakes travelling to Ireland from Britain or afar. Around 431 AD, Patrick was appointed as successor to St Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland, and during his later years, he wrote about his spirituality and life in his 'Confession'. Believed to have died on March 17, in the year 461, Patrick's spiritual path led him to become a legendary figure, as he left behind an established church and an island of Christians. Today, his work is commemorated annually on March 17. Symbols and images associated with Ireland and St Patrick's Day The colours of the Irish flag represent Catholicism (green) and Protestantism (orange), unified by peace (white). Since the 18th century, green has also represented sympathy for Irish independence. Despite St Patrick popularising shamrocks, with many choosing to wear them on the patron saint day, he is historically associated with the red Saltire of St Patrick, featured in the flag of the United Kingdom. The patron saint of Ireland is also associated with the colour blue, after the creation of the Order of St Patrick in the 1780s made it the official colour. "St Patrick's Blue" can be found on Ireland's Presidential Standard, and in the plume of bearskins worn by the Irish Guards. The legend of the Leprechaun has also become a modern day symbol of Ireland. Known for their mischievous behaviour and leaving pots of gold at the end of rainbows, today, the mythical creatures feature heavily as a tourist symbol and some people choose to wear Leprechaun costumes and hats to St Patrick's Day parades. Dublin even has its very own Leprechaun Museum. The best things to do in Dublin St Patrick's Day celebrations in Ireland Unlike St David's Day and St George's Day, St Patrick's Day is a bank holiday in Ireland, allowing the Irish to fully embrace the festivities. The people of Ireland honour their patron saint day every year by joining parades and dressing head to toe in green, white and orange, the colours of the Irish flag. Dublin's famous St Patrick's Festival Parade will take place on Sunday March 17 this year, starting at Parnell Square, with music and live performances from bands helping to convey the 2019 theme of storytelling. Historically the "Feast of St Patrick", the day has been observed by the Irish for over 1,000 years and families would traditionally attend church in the morning, before celebrating with dance, drink and a feast of bacon and cabbage. Today, Irish stews and pints of Guinness are often enjoyed as part of the celebration. As many as 13 million pints of Guinness are poured on St Patrick's Day alone, increasing from the average 10 million glasses poured every day around the world. In fact, 1.8 billion are sold each year and the Guinness Storehouse is situated in the heart of St James's Gate, Dublin, with visitors able to book a tour of the famous site. Popular Irish toasts on St Patrick's Day, include: "Sláinte mhaith", meaning "good health" in Irish Gaelic, and "may the good St Patrick protect ye, and the devil neglect ye". Other celebrations around the world March 17 sees millions of people around the world, even those without Irish connections, turn out to celebrate St Patrick. In the United States, the White House first recognised the Irish holiday and the countries' relations more than 50 years ago, after President Harry Truman received a box of shamrocks from Ireland's ambassador. In 1956, the first St Patrick's Day meeting between the President and the Irish Taioseach took place and since the 1990s, the White House visit has been held annually. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and US President Donald Trump during the annual shamrock presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington DC Credit: Niall Carson/PA Every year, London showcases Irish heritage and culture as part of its annual St Patrick's Day festival and parade. While live stage performances and food stalls can be enjoyed in Trafalgar Square, colourful floats, dancers and Irish communities make their way through the capital's streets. This year, the festivities take place on Sunday March 17. In Tokyo, the "I Love Ireland" parade takes place over two days, on March 16 and 17, with vibrant costumes and marching bands, while in New York, 150,000 people join the parade travelling up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. In fact, a range of celebrations are held across the globe to celebrate the legendary Irish figure, including parades in Sydney, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and Oslo, Norway. In the British West Indies, the island of Montserrat has a public holiday for St Patrick's Day and observes the patron saint with a seven day festival and parade. Dubbed the "Emerald Isle" in memory of their Irish settlers, Montserrat even use a green shamrock as their official passport stamp. St Patrick's Day is also a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, where a significant number of Irish people emigrated to during the 18th and 19th centuries. In Chicago, their river has been traditionally dyed bright green on March 17 since 1962, with thousands heading to the city to see one of the most famous St Patrick's Day sights. Rowers navigate the Chicago River shortly after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images Other countries join Chicago in turning their famous landmarks green on March 17, including the London Eye and HMS Belfast in London, the pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. The best Irish recipes Clodagh McKenna's beef and Guinness stew Beautifully tender beef, cooked in the beloved Irish beverage. This hearty winter dish is served perfectly with creamy mash or roast potatoes. Beef stew Credit: The Picture Pantry/Alloy Slow-cooked red cabbage with apples and raisin Traditionally served with beef, pork or turkey, red cabbage brings a sweet flavour to any dish and can also be eaten cold in sandwiches. Red cabbage Credit: Getty Images Rachel Allen's Barmbrack (báirín breac) This traditional Irish sweetened bread, packed with sultanas, raisins or currants, makes a delicious treat and can be enjoyed fresh, toasted or buttered. Barmbrack, a traditional Irish fruit loaf Credit: D and S Food Photography/Alamy The best Irish drinks While Ireland is the place to be for a pint of Guinness, it is also home to an array of famous alcoholic beverages including Jameson whiskey and Irish cream liqueur. If Guinness doesn't take your fancy, the Thinking Drinkers have selected the best alternatives to drink on St Patrick's Day, from craft whiskey to post poitin.
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| 12 Fresh Asparagus Salads Perfect For Spring Posted: 08 Mar 2019 11:01 AM PST |
| Where the investigations related to President Trump stand Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:23 PM PST  WASHINGTON (AP) — A look at where investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him:
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| T-Mobile’s latest pitch for Sprint merger: Taking on cable internet and TV Posted: 08 Mar 2019 06:30 AM PST  T-Mobile's latest pitch to regulators to approve its merger with Sprint: They need to team up to take on home broadband.
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| Anti-Semitism part of wave of 'depraved hatred', pope says Posted: 08 Mar 2019 05:35 AM PST  In comments to members of the American Jewish Committee during a visit to the Vatican, he also reiterated that it was sinful for Christians to hold anti-Semitic sentiments because they shared a heritage with Jews. "A source of great concern to me is the spread, in many places, of a climate of wickedness and fury, in which an excessive and depraved hatred is taking root," Francis said. "I think especially of the outbreak of anti-Semitic attacks in various countries." Francis did not name any of those countries, but government statistics released last month showed more than 500 anti-Semitic attacks occurred last year in France, which has Europe's biggest Jewish community.
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| Convicted Australian cardinal sued over alleged abuse Posted: 07 Mar 2019 12:11 AM PST  Convicted Australian Cardinal George Pell faced a fresh legal challenge Thursday after a civil suit was filed against him for further alleged abuse in the 1970s. Pell -- the most senior Vatican official to be found guilty of child sex crimes -- is currently in detention awaiting sentencing for assaulting two choirboys in Melbourne in the 1990s. Pell had also faced trial on charges of abusing boys in a swimming pool in his home town of Ballarat in Victoria state, decades before, but the case was dropped by Australian prosecutors after his conviction.
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| 2020 Cadillac XT6 Base Pricing Announced, and It's Not a Value Play Posted: 07 Mar 2019 08:19 AM PST  It may lack luxury panache, but the XT6 at least looks handsome and is usefully packaged.
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| February Jobs Report Weakest in 30 Months Posted: 08 Mar 2019 02:15 PM PST  The economy produced only 20,000 new jobs in February for its weakest showing since September 2017, according to the Labor Department's monthly report.While unemployment declined from 4 percent to 3.8 percent and employment in wholesale trade, professional and business services, and health care trended upward in February, construction jobs declined by 31,000, a possibly worrisome sign.Economic analysts offered a range of reactions to news of the weak job-creation numbers. Some, citing projections of slower economic growth in the first quarter of 2019, expressed concern over the report's lackluster numbers, pointing out that economists had expected around 180,000 jobs to be added in February. Others speculated that the economy may be close to job saturation. And others argued that the economy was still resetting from the 35-day partial government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, which lasted from the end of December to January.Yet others pointed to the long-term trend -- a record 101 consecutive months of positive job-creation numbers -- as a better indication of the direction of the economy.On Twitter, President Trump was quick to downplay economists' concerns after the report's release.> "This is as good a time as I can remember to be an American Worker. We have the strongest economy in the world." Stuart Varney @foxandfriends So true!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019
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| China praises Pakistan's 'restraint' over Kashmir tensions Posted: 06 Mar 2019 08:12 PM PST  China has praised Pakistan's "restraint" and willingness to talk with India to ease tensions between the two countries after a deadly bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month. Pakistan is facing pressure from global powers to act against groups carrying out attacks in India, including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the Feb. 14 attack that killed at least 40 paramilitary police. The crisis eased after Pakistan returned a downed Indian pilot on Friday.Visiting Pakistan on Wednesday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said Beijing and Islamabad were "all weather" strategic partners and that they always supported each other, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
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| 9 Interior Design Trends to Look Out for in 2019 Posted: 08 Mar 2019 06:43 AM PST ![9 Interior Design Trends to Look Out for in 2019]( "9 Interior Design Trends to Look Out for in 2019") An October 2018 report from the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University projected that remodeling spending is expected to grow to more than $350 billion in the third quarter of 2019. Whether you're renovating your home for yourself, updating your home to sell or looking to spice up a living space that you rent, you'll see some new trends entering the interior design field this year -- and others easing out of the spotlight. An interior design trend, by definition, is the temporary popularity of a style, pattern, color or approach to decor.
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| Pornhub reveals what women are searching in honor of International Women's Day Posted: 08 Mar 2019 07:28 AM PST  Friday is International Women's Day, and Pornhub is on it.They've just released some new findings about what women seek out when it comes to porn. Using anonymous data collected by Google Analytics, Pornhub is able to determine where women users are coming from and what they're looking for. According to their data, the top category searched by women varies across the world, but the overall most popular category among women was "lesbian." according to Pornhub's internal data. Image: PornhubWorldwide, the "lesbian" category was the most popular across North and South America and well as most of Europe. "Hentai" dominated Russia while "anal" and "ebony" were also popular in other corners of the globe. Pornhub's full report goes even further, detailing top categories in each country relative to other countries. For example, and not surprisingly, women users in France are over 1,000% more into the "French" category than the rest of the world and women users in Germany are over 1,200% more into the "German" category.Pornhub also broke down the top categories per state relative to other states in the U.S. For instance, South Dakota's top category compared to the rest of the nation is "vintage" while Utah's is "striptease."Pornhub's map of women's top category by state, relative to other statesImage: PornhubEven more enlightening are the top searches by state compared to other states. For instance, South Dakota's top search compared to the rest of the U.S. is "cartoon" while Idaho's is "my little pony." There are other nuggets to dig up as well: that Pennsylvania's top result compared to other states is "Philly" is the most Philadelphia thing ever.Image: pornhubThey've also broken down searches by age group. Women ages 18 to 24 are 81% more likely to search for "hentai," while women age 45 to 54 are 39% more likely to search "mature." Here's the full breakdown: The entire report is available to read through here and is filled with even more revelations for better understanding what women are seeking in their porn. WATCH: YouPorn has an app now, so you can watch porn in public
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| Controversial ‘Rape Day’ game removed from Steam platform Posted: 08 Mar 2019 08:39 AM PST  Video game developer Valve removes the controversial 'Rape Day' from its platform Steam in response to backlash.
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| Michael Cohen: Trump's ex-lawyer 'asked about presidential pardon' contrary to his denials Posted: 07 Mar 2019 10:03 AM PST  Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly asked about the possibility of a presidential pardon, contradicting what he recently told a congressional hearing.
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