| Trump and Kim Jong-un 'agree' Biden has a 'low IQ', White House says Posted: 26 May 2019 07:42 AM PDT  Sarah Sanders told Meet the Press the president's point of view was not guided by the North Korean leader Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 28 February. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un "agree in their assessment" that former vice-president and 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden has a "low IQ", White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Speaking from Tokyo, where the president is on a state visit, Sanders told NBC's Meet the Press Trump's point of view was not guided by the North Korean dictator, whose state media this week attacked Biden as a "fool of low IQ". In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump called the former vice-president a "low IQ individual". He first misspelled Biden's name as "Bidan". "The president doesn't need somebody else to give him an assessment of Joe Biden," Sanders said. "He's given his own assessment a number of times. I think you've seen it. I'm sure you've covered it on your programme. The president watched him and his administration with President Obama fail for eight years." Sanders also rejected the contention that Americans should be "concerned that the president of United States is essentially siding with a murderous authoritarian dictator over a former vice-president in the United States". "The president's not siding with that," she said. "But I think they agree in their assessment of former vice-president Joe Biden." Trump caused familiar diplomatic consternation with his tweet, in which he also brushed off recent North Korean missile launches that were condemned by the UN and his own national security adviser, John Bolton. Bolton on Saturday told reporters he had "no doubt" the tests violated UN resolutions. A number of disagreements between Bolton and Trump have come to light, including over Venezuela and Iran. Bolton's comments on North Korea were nonetheless the first time a senior administration official has confirmed that the short-range ballistic missiles are in contravention of UN resolutions. One flew nearly 300 miles, making it a direct threat to South Korea, a US ally, if not to Japan. In the midst of Trump's visit to Tokyo, the president appeared to place confidence in his relationship with Kim ahead of US intelligence assessments. "North Korea fired off some small weapons," Trump tweeted, "which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me. I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me [and] also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Biden a low IQ individual [and] worse. Perhaps that's sending me a signal?" A Biden campaign aide responded: "I would say the tweet speaks for itself, but it's so unhinged and erratic that I'm not sure anyone could even say that with a straight face." Trump has expressed belief that Kim may be sending him secret messages comes as the administration continues to defend the results of two high-profile summits aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Asked if the missile tests were "bothering" Trump, Sanders said: "The president's focus in all of this process is on continuing the very good relationship that he has with Chairman Kim. And he feels good that the chairman will stay firm with the commitment that he made to the president and move towards denuclearization." Sanders continued: "The president still feels comfortable and confident in the relationship that he has with Chairman Kim and that he's going to stay true to the commitment that he made to the president." Sanders said it was "not true to say nothing's come of" the summits, which were held in Singapore in June 2018 and Hanoi in February this year. "There have been steps," she said, adding: "For a significant period of time there was no missile testing. We got hostages back home to the United States and remains of American war heroes. I don't know how you can say that that's nothing."
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| A Climber Who Died on Everest Warned on Instagram That Overcrowding Could 'Prove Fatal' Posted: 26 May 2019 11:28 PM PDT  At least nine climbers have died in relation to long holdups near the summit
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| Police searching for missing 5-year-old Utah girl. Her uncle is in custody Posted: 27 May 2019 10:41 AM PDT  The Logan Police Department continued their search Sunday, alongside officials from the FBI, for Elizabeth Jessica Shelley, a missing 5-year-old girl.
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| When it comes to abortion, conservative women aren't a monolith Posted: 27 May 2019 10:58 AM PDT  Nearly one in four women in the USA will have an abortion by age 45 – obviously, not all of them share the same political views.
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| Kremlin rebuffs call to release Ukrainian sailors Posted: 27 May 2019 04:01 AM PDT ![Kremlin rebuffs call to release Ukrainian sailors]( "Kremlin rebuffs call to release Ukrainian sailors") The Kremlin on Monday rebuffed a call by an international maritime tribunal for Russia to release 24 Ukrainian sailors, saying the court had no jurisdiction over the strait where Russian security forces captured them. The Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on Saturday said Moscow should release the sailors immediately and that both nations should refrain from taking any action that might aggravate the dispute. The Russian navy captured the Ukrainian sailors and their three vessels in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, on Nov. 25, 2018, after opening fire on them.
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| EU Seeks to Break U.S. Stranglehold on WTO Posted: 27 May 2019 01:04 AM PDT ![EU Seeks to Break U.S. Stranglehold on WTO]( "EU Seeks to Break U.S. Stranglehold on WTO") Trade ministers from the 28-nation European Union are expected to start the process of negotiating an interim solution if the adjudicative body of the WTO becomes hamstrung, as is expected later this year, according to internal documents seen by Bloomberg. The U.S. is blocking new appointees to the seven-member WTO appellate body, which will lead to it being incapacitated in December because there won't be enough judges to issue rulings. The EU is seeking to implement an arbitration process that would continue the "essential principles and features'' of the appellate body, according to the memo.
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| Meet the 8-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez impersonator lighting up the Internet Posted: 25 May 2019 06:18 PM PDT  'Little AOC' Ava Martinez mocks the New York Democrat online.
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| Impeachment talk is rising among Democrats. Nancy Pelosi is right to shut it down Posted: 27 May 2019 08:04 AM PDT  Opening an impeachment inquiry would start a process many Americans would see as an attempt to circumvent the 2020 election 'Attempting to short-circuit the 2020 election would harm America's democracy, not enhance it.' Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/APUpon taking control of Congress in 2006, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi declared that impeachment of then-President George W Bush was "off the table."Her remarks dismayed many critics of Bush, who continued to press Pelosi and other Democratic leaders to pursue impeachment against the Republican president. They pointed to the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance, the illegal war in Iraq, and the use of torture.Articles of impeachment were authored by Ohio Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich, who netted a small group of co-sponsors for his resolution. But as we all know, no impeachment proceedings were ever launched against Bush, and the administration's officials escaped any accountability from its successors. President Obama famously said he preferred to "look forward as opposed to looking backwards" when it came to accountability on issues like torture and wiretapping.To many onlookers, the approach by Democratic leadership towards President Donald Trump seems to be a case of deja vu. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly rebuffed calls to begin impeachment proceedings against the president. "I'm not for impeachment … Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. And he's just not worth it," she said in March.Compared to Bush, the logic of impeaching Trump is far less straightforward. There are real concerns about whether Trump is violating the emoluments clause and his contempt of Congress, but neither of these issues compare to Bush's illegal behavior, which severely violated the rights of millions of Americans and others. Although House Democrats are frustrated by Trump's attempt to block their subpoenas and investigations of his financial dealings across the world, they do not have a clear-cut case of high crimes and misdemeanors that could set the stage for a successful impeachment – the same way warrantless surveillance or waterboarding presented one.Impeachment is a sort of last resort the legislative branch has to deploy against a president who is acting outside the boundaries of the law. It is important for Congress to never declare that impeachment is off the table – as Pelosi did in 2006 – because it sends a message to the executive branch that its members cannot be held legally accountable. That sort of impunity would be antithetical to our system of checks and balances.But what Pelosi is arguing this time around is much more reasonable. She supports Congressional oversight and investigations into the Trump administration and the president's personal financial dealings as a way to expose possible wrongdoing. And she is leaving the door open to impeachment if the facts suggest that it is necessary.These investigations can inform the American public about the way Trump is choosing to govern and allow them to make an educated choice in the 2020 election, without setting off what could be an extremely polarizing and contentious impeachment proceeding that is unlikely to succeed.It is true that the president is stonewalling some of these investigations, and that's one reason some Democrats are warming to an impeachment inquiry that they believe would allow them to get at information they currently can't obtain.Yet within the halls of Congress, the votes don't seem to be there for an impeachment, according to the House's third-ranking Democrat, South Carolina's Jim Clyburn. Meanwhile, the US Senate is run by Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell, who would never go along with an effort to remove the president.Opening an impeachment inquiry would start a process many Americans would see as an attempt to circumvent the 2020 election – denying voters the ability to have the final say on Trump's conduct as president. Americans simply aren't ready for as divisive a process as trying to impeach the president; even many who are critical of Trump don't support impeaching him. A Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted in April found that only 37% of Americans support opening an impeachment inquiry.Perhaps what Pelosi understands is that what Americans want Congress to focus on is bread and butter issues and a forward-looking agenda. Gallup polling released in November of 2018 found that 80% of voters said health care was extremely or very important to their vote; the Russia investigation, the nexus of many of the impeachment calls against President Trump, was 12th among issues polled, sitting at just 45%.This doesn't mean that Congress shouldn't investigate the conduct of the Trump administration or the president's personal financial dealings as they relate to the public interest. It is important for the public to have all the relevant information in order to make educated choices in the upcoming election. And if Trump continues to stonewall these investigations, voters have every right to punish him for it.It is also well past time for Congress to pass reforms that could prevent abuses of presidential power in the future. While then-Judiciary Committee chair Michigan Democratic Representative John Conyers declined to start impeachment proceedings against Bush, he did introduce legislation to establish a commission on war powers and civil liberties; sadly, it did not go anywhere. If Pelosi is serious about investigating and holding the executive branch accountable, she could help set up a similar commission that could help create reforms in the law to rein in an unaccountable executive in the future.But ultimately it is voters who will decide President Trump's fate. The votes in Congress aren't there for impeachment, and Americans aren't convinced that it is justified based on the facts. Pelosi is wise to avoid invoking this nuclear option, which would only further polarize a country that is increasingly at odds with itself over political differences. We have a democratic process to empower Americans to choose their leaders. Attempting to short-circuit the 2020 election would harm America's democracy, not enhance it.
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| 4 suspects arrested after Lyon bomb attack that wounded 13 Posted: 27 May 2019 05:33 AM PDT  PARIS (AP) — French police have arrested four suspects following a blast in the city of Lyon that wounded 13 people last week, authorities said Monday.
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| Meet the Tweel: The Tire That Never Goes Flat Posted: 26 May 2019 06:00 AM PDT  John Deere is using Michelin's airless tire-and-wheel, the Tweel. Go ahead, run over some nails.
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| 'Green wave' in EU vote amid climate crisis Posted: 26 May 2019 08:47 PM PDT  With double-digit scores across Europe's biggest countries including a stunning 20 percent in Germany, the Greens bagged record gains in EU elections on Sunday with younger voters leading calls for action to halt global warming. The environmental party doubled its score in Germany from the last EU elections in 2014, knocking the Social Democrats off their traditional second place. In France, the Greens were number three with 12 percent, while in Austria, Ireland and the Netherlands, they garnered double-digits.
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| Powerful EF3 tornado kills 2, injures 29 in Oklahoma town recovering from flooding Posted: 27 May 2019 11:09 AM PDT  A deadly tornado ripped through an Oklahoma City suburb Saturday night, destroying a motel and causing massive damage.
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| U.S. ambassador urges China to talk to the Dalai Lama Posted: 25 May 2019 07:30 PM PDT ![U.S. ambassador urges China to talk to the Dalai Lama]( "U.S. ambassador urges China to talk to the Dalai Lama") China should hold talks with Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad told Chinese officials during a trip to the Himalayan region where he criticized Beijing for interfering in religious freedom. Branstad visited Tibet last week, the first such trip by a U.S. ambassador since 2015, amid escalating trade and diplomatic tension between the two countries.
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| Huawei founder says he would oppose Chinese retaliation against Apple: Bloomberg Posted: 26 May 2019 04:52 PM PDT  Huawei Technologies' founder and Chief Executive Ren Zhengfei told Bloomberg https://bloom.bg/2HT7DUY that retaliation by Beijing against Apple Inc was unlikely and that he would oppose any such move from China against the iPhone maker. When asked about calls from some in China to retaliate against Apple, Ren said that he would "protest" against any such step if it were to be taken by Beijing.
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| People love Apple’s official saddle brown leather iPhone case, and it’s 40% off today on Amazon Posted: 27 May 2019 09:13 AM PDT ![People love Apple's official saddle brown leather iPhone case, and it's 40% off today on Amazon]( "People love Apple's official saddle brown leather iPhone case, and it's 40% off today on Amazon") Apple's official leather iPhone cases are two things: gorgeous, and expensive. There's usually no arguing with either, but today they can't really be called expensive. Amazon is running a great sale that slashes a whopping 40% off the price of the Apple Leather Case for iPhone XS and Apple Leather Case for iPhone XS Max, slashing either case to just $29.99. Oh, and the best part is this sale covers the most popular color in Apple's leather case lineup -- Saddle Brown!Here are the highlights from the product page: * These Apple-designed cases fit snugly over the curves of your iPhone without adding bulk. * They're made from specially tanned and finished European leather, so the outside feels soft to the touch and develops a natural patina over time. * The machined aluminum buttons match the finish of your leather case, while a microfiber lining inside helps protect your iPhone. * And you can keep it on all the time, even when you're charging wirelessly.
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| Measles patient may have exposed travelers Posted: 27 May 2019 01:49 AM PDT  Authorities said a measles patient who passed through a New York-area airport could have infected others. ABC News' Kenneth Moton reports.
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| 'War-Monger': North Korea Reportedly Has Choice Words For John Bolton Posted: 27 May 2019 10:38 AM PDT  North Korea reportedly described national security advisor John Bolton as a "war monger" and "human defect" for his criticism of the state's latest missile tests.The comments came from an anonymous North Korean Foreign Ministry representative Monday after Bolton called the country's short-range missile testing a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Associated Press reported Monday."It will be fit to call Bolton not a security adviser striving for security but a security-destroying adviser who is wrecking peace and security," the spokesperson said, according to AP. "It is not at all strange that perverse words always come out from the mouth of a structurally defective guy, and such a human defect deserves an earlier vanishing." Bolton, accompanying President Donald Trump on his visit to Japan, told reporters Saturday that there is "no doubt" about the May 4 and 9 missile tests contravening the U.N. resolutions, according to AP. Bolton suggested the actions demonstrate that sanctions against North Korea should not be removed.But Trump seemed to take a different approach in his response to the missile launch, tweeting that "North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some people, and others, but not me."
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| Matteo Salvini triumphs in European elections, taking nearly 35 per cent of Italian vote Posted: 27 May 2019 01:49 AM PDT  As the full scale of his win in the European elections became apparent, a beaming Matteo Salvini sent out a photograph to his millions of supporters in Italy. Standing in his office, he held a handwritten placard that read "First party in Italy – thank you", a reference to the thumping win scored by the League, the hard-Right party he leads. But it was the objects arrayed behind him on a bookshelf that sent an equally important, if less obvious message, not just to voters in Italy but to the rest of the world. There was a baseball cap with the slogan Make America Great Again, a photograph of Vladimir Putin and behind it a book about the Russian president that bore his portrait. On the shelf below was a gold-framed icon of Christ, his head surrounded by a halo. The mise-en-scene put Mr Salvini squarely at the nexus of a populist movement that draws inspiration from Donald Trump, lauds Putin's strong man style of governance and obsesses over threats to Europe's Judeo-Christian roots. The pugnacious Italian interior minister is the poster boy for a nationalist, populist movement that is now vowing to radically change the EU from within and to take on the mainstream parties that have dominated Brussels for decades. Mr Salvini holds a crucifix as he talks to the press after the release of the election results Credit: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters The League triumphed in the elections, winning 34 per cent of the vote in Italy. The results confirm Mr Salvini's status as one of the most influential politicians in Europe, as he seeks to forge a populist, nationalist bloc in the European Parliament. "Salvini has really established a connection with ordinary Italians who are worried about issues like unemployment and migration," said Lucia Annunziata, a political commentator and editorial director of the Italian edition of Huffington Post. "The Italian press, and other political parties, have been in denial about how well the League would do." By taking one-third of the Italian vote, the League is poised to become one of the biggest parties in the European parliament. Mr Salvini now hopes to ally with like-minded movements, including Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and Hungary's Fidesz, led by Viktor Orban, as well as populists in Denmark, Spain, Finland, Sweden and the Czech Republic. The results from across the continent send a strong signal that "the European people are asking for a different Europe," Mr Salvini said. He forecast that populist and nationalist parties will control at least 150 seats in the new 751-seat European Parliament. "Not only is the League the first party in Italy, but also Marine Le Pen is the first party in France, Nigel Farage is the first party in the UK. Therefore, Italy, France, the UK - it is the sign of a Europe that is changing." He told supporters in Milan that the results demonstrated that "a new Europe has been born. And I say that to those who have sunk the European dream, transforming it into a nightmare, that I am proud that the League participated in this new rebirth of a sunken Europe." At one point Mr Salvini held up a crucifix and kissed it, glancing upwards and saying: "I thank whoever is up there." He was criticised by the Vatican and the Catholic establishment for brandishing a rosary and citing the names of various saints while up on stage in a big rally in Milan a week before the election. The League stormed to victory even in Riace, a town in the far south which has been held up as an example of how to integrate migrants, as well as in Capalbio on the coast north of Rome, traditionally seen as a holiday retreat for intellectuals and the Left. The Five Star Movement, the other half of the ruling coalition, were struggling to come to terms with a deeply disappointing result, taking just 17% of the vote – just under half that of the League. They came in as the third biggest party, beaten to second place by the pro-EU Democratic Party, Italy's centre-Left force, which won 22%. "We're back," said Nicola Zingaretti, the party's leader. The League's strong performance is likely to lead to jostling for greater power within the coalition and confirms Mr Salvini, who is interior minister and deputy prime minister, as by far the most powerful politician in Italy. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, is a largely powerless figurehead with the unenviable task of mediating between the fractious coalition partners, while Luigi Di Maio, the leader of Five Star, has seen his authority further diminished by the results. Five Star performed particularly poorly in the north of Italy, relegating them to a party with its support base largely in the south. The results will strengthen Mr Salvini's hand in his negotiations with Five Star over the many policies on which they have clashed in recent months, from migrants and tax cuts to big infrastructure projects and greater autonomy for regions in the north, the heartland of the League. For now, he has pledged to stick with Five Star in the coalition, rather than break up the government and press for fresh elections. The Five Star Movement, led by Luigi Di Maio, performed dismally, winning just 17% of the vote Credit: Reuters/Ciro De Luca "For the time being, it's convenient for Salvini to stay in the coalition because the Five Star Movement brings a lot of votes in parliament in Rome," said Ms Annunziata, the political commentator. The election results will also embolden Mr Salvini in his fight with Brussels over EU spending limits, as the government plans to splurge billions on tax reform and a costly rail link beneath the Alps between Turin and Lyon. At a press conference on Monday, he appeared in an open-necked shirt, with his sleeves rolled up, saying that he had had worked "18-hour days" for the last few months but was looking forward to a new phase in which the League will get its way more than in the past. The election outcome gave the government a mandate to change the EU's budget rules, he said. "I think that the Italian people have given a mandate to me and to the government to discuss revising these old, obsolete parameters," he said. Bringing in a two-tier flat tax was "a moral duty". The League's strong showing compares to the 17.4% it won at last year's general election and 6.2% at the last European ballot in 2014. Mr Salvini has transformed it from a weak, marginal party that once campaigned for secession for northern Italy from the rest of the country, into a formidable national force.
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| Fiat Chrysler and Renault talk of linking businesses is heating up, report says Posted: 26 May 2019 09:59 AM PDT  Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker Renault are in talks that could result in a tie-up of their operations, the Wall Street Journal reports
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| Apple may release an iPhone SE 2 with a brand new design next year Posted: 27 May 2019 11:21 AM PDT ![Apple may release an iPhone SE 2 with a brand new design next year]( "Apple may release an iPhone SE 2 with a brand new design next year") The iPhone SE has long been a sleeper hit for Apple, with Tim Cook noting a few years ago that demand for the compact device was surprisingly strong and even higher than Apple's own internal projections."We're thrilled with the response that we've seen on it," Cook said during an earnings conference call in 2016. "It is clear that there is a demand there even much beyond what we thought. That is really why we have the constraint that we have."Hardly a surprise, the iPhone SE filled an important gap in the company's iPhone lineup to the extent that it offered users an affordable device with advanced features in a compact form factor. For as great as Apple's flagships are, the simple reality is that many people find Apple's latest iPhone models unwieldy. For example, the iPhone XR -- which is Apple's entry-level model this year -- is closer in size to the iPhone 6 Plus than it is to the iPhone 6.With that said, Apple unceremoniously discontinued the iPhone SE last year when it rolled out its 2018 iPhone lineup. The move was initially met with excitement as folks assumed that an iPhone SE successor was on the way. But as the weeks and months rolled on, word began to surface that Apple had no immediate plans to resurrect the beloved SE line.As it stands now, Apple offers up no options for users who prefer a smartphone with a small form factor. And even if you manage to pick up a used iPhone SE or a brand new one during an unexpected flash sale, the iPhone SE is more than three years old at this point and boasts hardware that initially debuted on the 2015 iPhone 6s.Put simply, it's time for Apple to release an iPhone SE 2.The good news is that Apple may not have forgotten about the iPhone SE line. According to a new investor note from Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis (via MacRumors), there's a chance that Apple will release an iPhone SE 2 with iPhone 8 internals sometime in early 2020. Curtis' remarks were based off of conversations he recently had with some of Apple's suppliers overseas.Notably, previous iPhone SE 2 rumors relayed that the device will abandon Touch ID and incorporate Face ID instead, all within an edgeless 4.8-inch display. To this point, the concept video below imagines what an iPhone SE with an iPhone X-inspired design would look like.https://youtu.be/M_i524zpCQs
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| Billionaire Huawei Founder Defiant in Face of Existential Threat Posted: 26 May 2019 03:00 PM PDT  In an interview with Bloomberg Television, the billionaire founder of China's largest technology company conceded that Trump administration export curbs will cut into a two-year lead Huawei had painstakingly built over rivals like Ericsson AB and Nokia Oyj. The U.S. on May 17 blacklisted Huawei -- which it accuses of aiding Beijing in espionage -- and cut it off from the U.S. software and components it needs to make its products.
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| Trump campaign: Federal prosecutors investigating large donation made by real estate mogul Posted: 27 May 2019 12:30 PM PDT  An investigation into the finances of Donald Trump's inaugural committee has drawn attention and scrutiny to a massive donation of $1m (£790,000). Real estate mogul Franklin Haney, a known political donor, gave the hefty sum to Mr Trump at the same time that the developer was seeking approval and government support in purchasing the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant, which lies unfinished in Alabama.Mr Haney, two years later, has yet to close the deal.His donation to Mr Trump's inaugural committee is being investigated by federal prosecutors in New York, whose search is focused, in part, on if those who handed cash to the committee received any benefits in return.Prosecutors also are exploring if foreign nationals unlawfully donated funds to the committee. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan issued a subpoena last year demanding an array of financial records, including any "communications regarding or relating to the possibility of donations by foreign nationals."Mr Trump's inaugural committee has denied any wrongdoing and claims all funds are accounted for. The president's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, had allegedly given the prosecutors information on Mr Haney and his son and business associate, Frank Haney Jr, regarding the nuclear plant project, according to an anonymous source that spoke to ABC.Mr Haney had briefly hired Cohen, who is now serving a three year sentence for tax evasion, campaign finance violations and lying to congress, for his assistance in obtaining money for the power plant project from potential investors. This is not the first time Mr Haney, 79, has faced allegations his political donations were an attempt at gaining influence. Mr Haney has been investigated by the US House Republicans in the past for his donations and political influence on the Clinton Administration, which moved the Federal Communications Commission into a building that would benefit the businessman, but the Justice Department declined to pursue the matter. Mr Haney was charged in 1999 with funnelling about $100,000 in illegal contributions to President Bill Clinton, then-Vice President Al Gore and other politicians, but was ultimately acquitted.
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| Glock Is a Legend (But These 5 Guns Might Be Way Better) Posted: 26 May 2019 08:00 PM PDT  The integration of red dot sights onto the slide is a particular area where the aftermarket has far eclipsed Glock's original offering. Custom slides let pistol red dots sit lower into the Glock slide, so they are lower profile and co-witnessing with iron sights is easier. Glock's own MOS system only allows red dots to sit relatively high on the slide, and is not preferred by most users of pistol red dots.While the Glock is the most popular modern pistol, it may not be the best gun for everyone's needs. Here are some alternatives to the Glock that could be better than it, and why.(This first appeared earlier in the month.)1\. STI 2011The STI 2011 is an updated, double-stack 1911 chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W.; Highly customized 2011s have dominated the American competition shooting scene due to their excellent single-action only triggers, high capacity and low recoil impulse.While triggers and upgrades exist that can get the striker-fired Glock near the level of the 2011, the superior shooting characteristics of the 2011 make it a far more popular choice in many competitive shooting divisions.However, 2011s are more expensive, require far more maintenance and are less reliable in adverse conditions than Glocks, so they are practically unseen in military service. For non-competitors, the Glock is almost always a better choice.2\. H&K; SFP9/VP9While H&K; released the first polymer-framed striker-fired pistol in the VP70, the SFP9 marked their first return to that market, almost thirty years after the release of the Glock.
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| EU elections primer: How they work, what happened Posted: 26 May 2019 02:27 PM PDT  BRUSSELS (AP) — European voters have turned out in record numbers to choose lawmakers to represent them at the European Parliament for the next five years.
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| Flying this summer? 8 things to know if you haven't been on a plane for a year Posted: 26 May 2019 05:52 PM PDT  Summer travelers can expect busier airports, higher bag fees and seat selection fees, more basic economy tickets and potentially longer TSA lines.
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| Race to succeed UK PM May centers on 'no deal' Brexit battle Posted: 26 May 2019 02:10 PM PDT  May said on Friday she was quitting over her failure to deliver Brexit, potentially opening the way for a new leader who could seek a more divisive split with the European Union and lead to confrontation with the bloc or a possible parliamentary election. Setting out their pitch to the Conservative Party's largely pro-Brexit membership who will decide the outcome of the contest, four of the leadership hopefuls have said Britain must leave the EU on Oct. 31 even if this means a no-deal Brexit. "If you're not willing to walk away from a negotiation, it doesn't focus the mind of the other side ... I will not ask for an extension." Fellow contenders Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom both made similar comments on Sunday.
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| Scouted: How to Get Better Sleep, From Mattresses to Sheets and Beyond Posted: 26 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT  Welcome to the Everything Guide to Getting Better Sleep. We've rounded up all of our best stories about everything bedroom related. We go in-depth with researching the best mattresses, the softest sheets, and the most comfortable pillows, and we've rounded them all up in this handy guide. We'll continue to update this as we learn more about the sleep space so keep this page bookmarked. Bedroom and sleep accessoriesThe nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask Is The One Thing That Helps Me Get a Good Night's SleepHow to Get a Good Night's Sleep (Even When Everything Is the Worst)4 Products That May Help You (Or Your Partner) To Stop Snoring and Get a Good Night's SleepThis CES Favorite Air Purifier Gave Me My Best Sleep So Far In 2019How to Get a Good Night's Sleep When You're a Light SleeperBlock Out Everything With These Sleep Masks'Sleep With Me' Podcast Host Drew Ackerman: Don't Neglect Your Bedroom Sheets, blankets, duvets, and comfortersYou Should Be Updating Your Sheets For The Season Like You Update Your WardrobeThe Best Thing I Did For Myself Was Upgrade My BeddingA Quilt Is No Longer OptionalKing-Sized Comforters That You Won't Want to Share (But Should)This Is The Best Looking Weighted Blanket Out ThereBearaby Launches the Tree Napper, a Weighted Blanket Made from Wood Pulp-Derived Fabric PillowsPluto Pillow Is a Truly Customizable PillowThe Night Pillow Is a Silk Pillowcase on SteroidsThis Memory Foam Pillow Stays Cool, Sans Flip Mattresses and bedsThese Bed Frame Styles Will Help You Kickstart Your Bedroom Makeover'Sleep Ambassador' Nancy Rothstein: '15 Minutes Isn't Enough' To Pick A MattressParachute Expands Its Bedroom Domination to MattressesThe Best Mattress of 2018 Is From Nectar SleepSleep Tech Now Lets You Regulate Body Temperature While You Sleep With The New Eight Sleep PodScouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get 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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| Israel parliament takes first step to hold new elections due to deadlock Posted: 27 May 2019 09:44 AM PDT  Israel's parliament on Monday took a first step toward holding new elections due to deadlocked coalition negotiations following April polls, giving preliminary approval to a law to dissolve itself. Three more votes are required for final approval of the law, which would result in new elections being held. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been unable to reach a deal to form a governing coalition ahead of a Wednesday night deadline to do so.
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| You can actually get a 4K TV on Amazon right now for $199.99 Posted: 27 May 2019 11:00 AM PDT ![You can actually get a 4K TV on Amazon right now for $199.99]( "You can actually get a 4K TV on Amazon right now for $199.99") Last week, Amazon has a one-day Gold Box deal that slashed the price of the Insignia NS-43DF710NA19 43-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV HDR - Fire TV Edition to just $199.99. That's right, a penny under $200 for a top-rated 43-inch 4K TV with Amazon's beloved Fire TV software built right in! The deal must have done pretty well, because Amazon has already brought it back -- and the 50-inch and 55-inch models are both discounted, as well. There's no telling how long these deals will be around though, so get in on the action while you still can.Here are the bullet points from the product page: * Insignia 4K UHD Smart TV - Fire TV Edition delivers true-to-life 4K Ultra HD picture quality with over 8 million pixels for stunning clarity, deep contrast, and vivid colors. * With the Fire TV experience built-in, enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills, including Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and more. * Fire TV Edition seamlessly integrates live over-the-air TV and streaming channels on a unified home screen (HD antenna required). * Easily control your TV with the included Voice Remote with Alexa--plus, launch apps, search for titles, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices, and more, using just your voice. * Dimensions (W x H x D): TV without stand: 38.2" x 22.5" x 3.2", TV with stand: 38.2" x 24.3" x 8.9". Multiple device input/output options: 3 HDMI including 1 with ARC, USB, composite input, antenna/cable input, digital output (optical), audio output, Ethernet.
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| UPDATE 1-Algeria to block Total from buying Anadarko's Algerian assets - minister Posted: 26 May 2019 03:35 PM PDT ![UPDATE 1-Algeria to block Total from buying Anadarko's Algerian assets - minister]( "UPDATE 1-Algeria to block Total from buying Anadarko's Algerian assets - minister") Algeria will block Total from acquiring Anadarko's assets in Algeria, energy minister Mohamed Arkab told reporters on the sidelines of a conference on Sunday. Occidental Petroleum has agreed to sell Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's assets in Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa to Total for $8.8 billion if the U.S. oil company succeeds in completing its plan to take over Anadarko.
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| Buttigieg rips Trump over potential pardons, says president implies 'being sent to war turns you into a murderer' Posted: 26 May 2019 02:54 PM PDT  Pete Buttigieg lambasted President Trump for considering pardons for accused or convicted war criminals over Memorial Day weekend.
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| The Dogfighter: Why Russia's Su-35 Fighter Won't Be An Easy Target for Anyone Posted: 27 May 2019 11:00 AM PDT  The maneuverability of the Su-35 makes it an unsurpassed dogfighter. However, future aerial clashes using the latest missiles (R-77s, Meteors, AIM-120s) could potentially take place over enormous ranges, while even short-range combat may involve all-aspect missiles like the AIM-9X and R-74 that don't require pointing the aircraft at the target. Nonetheless, the Su-35's speed (which contributes to a missile's velocity) and large load-carrying abilities mean it can hold its own in beyond-visual-range combat. Meanwhile, the Flanker-E's agility and electronic countermeasures may help it evade opposing missiles.The Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E is the top Russian air-superiority fighter in service today, and represents the pinnacle of fourth-generation jet fighter design. It will remain so until Russia succeeds in bringing its fifth-generation PAK-FA stealth fighter into production.Distinguished by its unrivaled maneuverability, most of the Su-35's electronics and weapons capabilities have caught up with those of Western equivalents, like the F-15 Eagle. But while it may be a deadly adversary to F-15s, Eurofighters and Rafales, the big question mark remains how effectively it can contend with fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the F-22 and F-35.(This first appeared several years ago.)HistoryThe Su-35 is an evolution of the Su-27 Flanker, a late Cold War design intended to match the F-15 in concept: a heavy twin-engine multirole fighter combining excellent speed and weapons loadout with dogfighting agility.
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| Thai Pro-Military Party Closer to Sealing Ruling Coalition Posted: 27 May 2019 03:31 AM PDT  The swing party, Bhum Jai Thai, will start discussing the details of the alliance immediately, its leader Anutin Charnvirakul said in a joint briefing Monday with the pro-military Palang Pracharath party. Palang Pracharath earlier in the day invited both the Democrat and Bhum Jai Thai parties to form a coalition, saying it is seeking "unity in forming an administration" and that such an alliance would help the country rise above political conflict and build economic confidence.
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| On autopilot: 'Pilots are losing their basic flying skills,' some fear after Boeing 737 Max crashes Posted: 27 May 2019 01:20 PM PDT ![On autopilot: 'Pilots are losing their basic flying skills,' some fear after Boeing 737 Max crashes]( "On autopilot: 'Pilots are losing their basic flying skills,' some fear after Boeing 737 Max crashes") Two Boeing 737 Max crashes killed 346 people and grounded the jet, which experienced software problems. The incidents raise wider questions about flight automation.
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| Pro-Europe vote fragments but limits nationalist gains in EU election Posted: 26 May 2019 04:58 PM PDT  France's Emmanuel Macron, who has staked his presidency on persuading Europeans that the EU is the answer to the challenges of an uncertain, globalising world economy, took a personal hit when his centrist movement was edged into second place by Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration, anti-Brussels National Rally. Along with a surge for the Greens, that meant four groups occupying the pro-EU middle ground lost under 20 seats, securing 505 seats out of 751, according to a projection by the European Parliament. The liberals, with over 100 seats and Greens, with nearly 70, want a big say.
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| 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 KR Convertible Replica Costs $90k Posted: 26 May 2019 05:29 AM PDT  Genuine Shelby Mustangs cost a small fortune. If you wished to trump all other road users back in 1968, the Shelby GT500 KR convertible was your weapon of choice. As the cultural flagship of the Shelby Mustang line-up, when seeking the 'ultimate pony car' today, nothing else can offer the same balance of image and power.
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| Syrian troops regain control of village they lost to rebels Posted: 26 May 2019 04:01 AM PDT  DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian government forces regained control of a northwestern village on Sunday, just days after losing it to militants, state media and an opposition war monitoring group said.
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| Latest Galaxy S10 software update freezes the phone, forces reboots Posted: 27 May 2019 07:18 AM PDT  The Galaxy S10 might be one of the best Android phones out there right now, but it's only as good as the software it runs. And if you've installed Samsung's big Android latest update, then you might be dealing with a few annoying issues right now, including a bug that freezes the phone, requiring a restart or even forcing a reboot on its own.Samsung released the update a few days ago, with version XXU1ASE5 packing a few camera improvements as well as the May 2019 security patch from Google. In other words, it's an update you definitely need. However, it's also one that you should postpone for as long as possible if you haven't installed it yet, so that Samsung can fix the issues that have been plaguing users.According to SamMobile, the update causes Galaxy S10 phones to freeze while using several popular apps, including Twitter and Nova Launcher. The apps themselves aren't at fault, as it's clearly the new software version that's causing the forced restarts.Users have posted details on the issue on Reddit and the xda-developers forum, revealing different types of "freezes." In some cases, long pressing the power button brings up unresponsive on-screen buttons, but the phone restarts automatically. Others have noticed that pressing the power button turns off the screen, but the phone doesn't actually lock. Furthermore, the fingerprint sensor might become slow, or it might even stop working altogether.The software issues have no fixes for the time being, and Samsung hasn't yet acknowledged them publicly. Restarting the phone doesn't prevent future freezes, and restoring to factory settings doesn't help either. Samsung is probably the only entity that can fix the problem by patching up the bugs causing the freezes. If you haven't updated to the latest software version, you'd better stay away from it until it's safe to install.
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| EXCLUSIVE-Huawei reviewing FedEx relationship, says packages ‘diverted’ Posted: 27 May 2019 11:30 AM PDT ![EXCLUSIVE-Huawei reviewing FedEx relationship, says packages 'diverted']( "EXCLUSIVE-Huawei reviewing FedEx relationship, says packages 'diverted'") Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei is reviewing its relationship with FedEx Corp after it claimed the U.S. package delivery company, without detailed explanation, diverted two parcels destined for Huawei addresses in Asia to the United States and attempted to reroute two others. Huawei told Reuters on Friday that FedEx diverted two packages sent from Japan and addressed to Huawei in China to the United States, and attempted to divert two more packages sent from Vietnam to Huawei offices elsewhere in Asia, all without authorisation, providing images of FedEx tracking records.
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| Trump meets with Japan's Abe to defuse tensions with Iran and North Korea Posted: 27 May 2019 07:35 AM PDT  The United States does not seek "regime change" in Iran, Donald Trump, the US president, said in Tokyo on Monday while defending Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, as a "very smart guy" who was focussed on the economic growth of his country. The president's comments after summit talks with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, appeared to be an attempt to cool two of the world's hottest flashpoints amid rising tensions in both the Middle East and on the Korean peninsula. Iran "has a chance to be a great country, with the same leadership. We're not looking for regime change, I want to make that clear. We're looking for no nuclear weapons," he told a news conference. "I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal. I think that's very smart of them and I think there's a possibility for that to happen also." Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen since Mr Trump pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal with Iran, reinstated tough sanctions, and the US announced it would deploy an additional 1,500 troops to the Middle East. However, the president on Monday sought to downplay concerns about military conflict, with Mr Trump stating that the door was open to talks with Tehran. He also indicated he would back Mr Abe as a mediator, following reports that the prime minister may visit Iran in June for talks with Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president. President Trump was greeted with a guard of honour at the Imperial Palace Credit: Issei Kato/Reuters "I know for a fact that the prime minister (Mr Abe) is very close with the leadership of Iran... nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me," Mr Trump said before the summit. The amicable relationship between the two leaders was on show on Sunday as they took selfies on a golf course and attended a sumo wrestling match and enjoyed a dinner of cheeseburgers with their wives at the start of a four-day state visit by the Trumps to Japan. An official welcoming ceremony cemented the allies' deep bond when Mr Trump was granted the honour of becoming the first foreign leader to meet Japan's Emperor Naruhito since he ascended to the throne on May 1 at the start of what is called the era of "Reiwa" or "beautiful harmony". The Trumps were greeted with red carpets and an honour guard in the palace courtyard before they gifted a vintage 1938 viola to the emperor, and a fountain pen made from a red oak tree at Harvard university to his wife, Empress Masako, who was educated there. FIrst Lady Melania Trump also met with Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Credit: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP The pomp and ceremony was followed by bilateral talks with Mr Abe that focussed in large part on stalled international negotiations with North Korea to persuade it to renounce its nuclear weapons programme. Speaking later to reporters, Mr Trump reiterated his optimism that peace could be achieved with Kim despite his recent test of two short-range missiles in the wake of a failed summit between the two leaders in Hanoi in February. Mr Trump also appeared to put down John Bolton, his hawkish national security adviser, who said on Saturday that there was "no doubt" that North Korea had violated UN Security Council resolutions by firing short-range ballistic missiles. Mr Trump and Mr Abe held a joint press conference Credit: Evan Vucci/AP Asked about the missile tests, Mr Trump said: "My people think it could have been a violation... I view it as a man who perhaps wants to get attention." The president's apparent lack of support compounded a tough day for Mr Bolton, who was denounced as a "war maniac" and "defective human product" by North Korean media, then undermined by South Korea's presidential office who said they had no idea why he defined the missile launch as a breach of resolutions. Mr Trump, who has a warm chemistry with Kim, instead stressed that he saw the best in him. Kim "is looking to create a nation that has great strength economically," he said, sticking to his much-repeated narrative that there is "tremendous economic potential" in North Korea. The two leaders met with relatives of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea Credit: Reuters "He knows that with nuclear, that's never going to happen. Only bad can happen. He is a very smart man, he gets it well," he said. Despite a general show of unity, Mr Abe stated that the launches were a violation of UN resolutions and reiterated Tokyo's stance that they were "very regrettable". However, he said he had received Mr Trump's backing to hold face-to-face talks "without preconditions" with Kim, marking a shift from his long-held position that he would not do so before progress was made on North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens decades ago. The two leaders spent time on Monday with relatives of people abducted in the 1960s and 1970s to train North Korea's spies. Mr Trump pledged to work with Mr Abe to bring them home. Koichiro Iizuka, who was a toddler abandoned in a crèche when his mother was abducted in 1978, thanked the president but said the families also wanted results. "We've gone along for 41 years without seeing our families and we'd like to have them home as soon as possible, and that we'd like to have the continuing help of the United States," he said.
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| FEDS concerned drug lord 'El Chapo' may escape from New York prison Posted: 26 May 2019 09:13 PM PDT  Guzman is currently behind bars at a federal correctional facility in New York convicted on 10 counts of drug trafficking and conspiracy to murder.
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| Romania's ruling party strongman begins jail sentence Posted: 27 May 2019 11:59 AM PDT  Romania's ruling party strongman Liviu Dragnea began a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence on Monday for corruption as his party grappled with a crushing defeat in the European elections. A court earlier Monday upheld Dragnea's original sentence, a verdict that will almost certainly remove from public life a man who was widely seen as the puppet master behind the Social Democrats (PSD) and the government they lead. Dragnea, 56, was also a key figure in his party's push for controversial judicial reforms which have led to clashes with Brussels and have overshadowed Romania's first-ever EU presidency.
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