Yahoo! News: World - China

Samantha Bee brings biting satire, star power to D.C. on Trump’s 100th day
L.A. Shooting Rampage Suspects Arrested After Day-Long Manhunt
The Latest: Funding deal has wins for both sides
U.S. service member killed near Mosul identified as infantry officer
The Latest: Protesters at St. Olaf reach deal with college
Pence: Deficit Growth? 'Maybe in the Short Term'
San Diego pool party shooting: White man shoots six people of colour in deadly suspected hate crime
Winter fighting took heavy toll on Afghan forces: report
Police set ablaze at May Day demos and more: May 1 in photos
Russian flags rained down in a confetti-style protest during Trump's rally
Quake near Canada border jolts Yukon, southeast Alaska
Aerials of tornado damage in Texas town
Student sex assault reports and how they vary by state
Quadruplets to attend Yale together after receiving offers from Harvard and 57 other colleges
Good Samaritans Jump Into Action to Save Family From Rising Floodwaters in Pulse-Pounding Video
India accuses Pakistan of killing and mutilating soldiers
Trump’s ‘Face the Nation’ interview: Calls North Korean leader ‘smart cookie’ and blasts Democrats as ‘obstructionists’
13 Super Speedy Snacks For Kids
Trump Not Ruling Out Pre-Emptive North Korea Strike
Dallas paramedic shooting suspect found dead, 2nd body found
Insider says Apple’s first new iOS product line in years will be unveiled at WWDC
Life in California's largest immigration detention center
The Latest: Deputies: Los Angles carjacker shoots, kills 1
Feline Rescued by Passerby After Cat Fight Lands Him in the River Thames
Barack Obama is 'ready' to return to politics, Joe Biden says
Famed Swiss climber Ueli Steck dies on Everest: officials
People Are Calling McDonald's "A Monster" For Taking This Drink Off Its Menu
Key Trump priorities left out of US spending deal
The Latest: Campus police defend delay in warning system
Apple Extends Warranty For Apple Watches With Swollen Battery Damage
FBI agent married rapper turned Isis fighter before realising her mistake
Don’t worry, we’ll help you ditch your iPhone and switch to the Galaxy S8
Thirteen of the Most Fun New Cars You Can Buy for Less Than $40,000
N. Korea missile fears in Japan: 'Whatever will be, will be'
India mob kill two Muslim men over suspected cow theft
Republican lawmaker Ros-Lehtinen, a Trump critic, to retire
6 Amazing Benefits of Oatmeal
Tad Cummins' Wife Feels Betrayed By Elizabeth Thomas
Vice President Mike Pence admits Trump's tax plan could increase deficit
Blue Sadie headphones review: premium audio at a premium price
Alligator Restrained by 2 Pairs of Handcuffs After It's Caught Breaking Into a Home
Just when you thought it was over, here's the mermaid frappuccino
US-backed fighters retake more areas from IS in Syrian town
Qatar upholds rare death sentence in UK teacher's murder
Asian nations pulled into China's orbit as Trump puts America first
Are You the Office Jerk?

Samantha Bee brings biting satire, star power to D.C. on Trump’s 100th day

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 11:02 AM PDT

When comedian Samantha Bee announced in late January that she would be holding an alternative White House Correspondents' Dinner, it was not yet clear that President Trump would not attend the actual dinner itself. By the time the weekend rolled around, though, Trump's decision not to attend the official event — coupled with the White House Correspondents' Association's aggressive reorientation of their dinner around the group's role as a defender of the First Amendment and grantor of scholarships to student journalists — gave Bee's "Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner" a different flavor.

L.A. Shooting Rampage Suspects Arrested After Day-Long Manhunt

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 08:41 AM PDT

A man and woman were arrested Sunday in connection with a motel shooting that police believe was part of a cross-city rampage throughout the Los Angeles suburbs — killing one person and wounding at least three others.

The Latest: Funding deal has wins for both sides

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 08:42 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the bill being negotiated on Capitol Hill to fund the government through September (all times local):

U.S. service member killed near Mosul identified as infantry officer

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 04:57 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. service member who died when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol outside the northern Iraqi city of Mosul was identified on Sunday as 1st Lieutenant Weston Lee. Lee, 25, of Bluffton, Georgia, was an infantry officer assigned to 1st Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army said in a statement. U.S.-backed forces have been fighting to retake the Islamic State strongholds of Mosul. News of the death came as U.S. President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days in office. ...

The Latest: Protesters at St. Olaf reach deal with college

Posted: 01 May 2017 03:30 PM PDT

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (AP) — The Latest on protests against racist incidents at St. Olaf College (all times local):

Pence: Deficit Growth? 'Maybe in the Short Term'

Posted: 29 Apr 2017 11:15 PM PDT

In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Vice President Mike Pence tells Chuck Todd that the White House's tax reform plan will lead to growth, but deficits could grow at first.

San Diego pool party shooting: White man shoots six people of colour in deadly suspected hate crime

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 11:53 PM PDT

Police shot and killed a 49-year-old man suspected of shooting seven people Sunday at a birthday pool party in an apartment complex near the University of California, San Diego, authorities said. Police received reports of a man shooting people by the swimming pool at around 6pm, Chief Shelley Zimmerman said at a news conference. Four black women, two black men, and one Hispanic man were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds, Ms Zimmerman said.

Winter fighting took heavy toll on Afghan forces: report

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 09:20 PM PDT

Afghan security forces were killed at a "shockingly high" rate during what historically has been a winter lull in fighting against the Taliban, a US watchdog said in a report Monday. According to the US government's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), 807 troops from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces died between January 1 and February 24. Casualties suffered by (ANDSF) in the fight against the Taliban and other insurgents continue to be shockingly high," the report noted.

Police set ablaze at May Day demos and more: May 1 in photos

Posted: 01 May 2017 02:09 PM PDT

French CRS anti-riot police officers are engulfed in flames as they face protesters during a march for the annual May Day workers' rally in Paris; Looking At Lee gets a bath outside Barn 38 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.; and, An attendee photographs fashion displays during the 'Rei Kawakubo/Commes Des Garcons: Art of the In-Between' during the The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Spring 2017 exhibition.

Russian flags rained down in a confetti-style protest during Trump's rally

Posted: 29 Apr 2017 07:42 PM PDT

Trolling is mostly dumb, but sometimes it's an art. President Donald Trump held a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and, as he was speaking, someone tossed a bunch of tiny Russian flags, confetti-style, in front of the cameras streaming his speech to news networks. SEE ALSO: Russian refugees read powerful testimonials of gay men who escaped Chechnya As far as protests go, it certainly earns points for creativity. The Trump campaign and administration officials have had a lot of unexplained contact with Russian officials, much of which is currently under investigation. A former campaign manager allegedly laundered money for a Ukrainian political party with ties to the Russian government. The FBI got a surveillance court order in the summer of 2016 to watch a Trump adviser because of an investigation into links between the Kremlin and the current president's campaign. And if you're looking for more...oddities...they're not hard to find. The FBI is currently investigating the administration's ties to Russia, as are multiple bodies in Congress. Maybe this particular troll just wanted to remind us of that. WATCH: In stunning exchange, Trump refuses to answer question from CNN reporter

Quake near Canada border jolts Yukon, southeast Alaska

Posted: 01 May 2017 04:48 PM PDT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A major earthquake in northwest British Columbia shook up communities in nearby Alaska and Yukon Territory but caused no apparent damage.

Aerials of tornado damage in Texas town

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 02:07 PM PDT

Houses were completely demolished by the powerful storm.

Student sex assault reports and how they vary by state

Posted: 01 May 2017 05:06 PM PDT

Unlike colleges and universities, there are no national requirements for U.S. elementary and secondary schools to track student sexual assaults. But 32 states and the District of Columbia do maintain information, though it is inconsistent and sometimes incomplete, The Associated Press found.

Quadruplets to attend Yale together after receiving offers from Harvard and 57 other colleges

Posted: 01 May 2017 08:46 AM PDT

They share the same name, the same parents and the same love of American Football and other sports.

Good Samaritans Jump Into Action to Save Family From Rising Floodwaters in Pulse-Pounding Video

Posted: 01 May 2017 01:15 PM PDT

Both a baby and a toddler in the overturned car were not breathing when they were pulled from the vehicle.

India accuses Pakistan of killing and mutilating soldiers

Posted: 01 May 2017 04:14 AM PDT

Pakistani troops killed two Indian soldiers in disputed Kashmir on Monday and mutilated their bodies, India's army said, calling it a "despicable act". In a statement, the army said Pakistan's border force attacked a patrol operating between two border posts on the de facto frontier known as the Line of Control in the remote Himalayan region. "In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated," the statement said, warning of an "appropriate response".

Trump’s ‘Face the Nation’ interview: Calls North Korean leader ‘smart cookie’ and blasts Democrats as ‘obstructionists’

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 09:52 AM PDT

In a wide-ranging interview with CBS News' John Dickerson on "Face the Nation," President Trump talked about his accomplishments during his first 100 days in office. He called North Korea's leader a "smart cookie," blasted Democrats as "obstructionists," and referred to "Face the Nation" as "Deface the Nation."

13 Super Speedy Snacks For Kids

Posted: 01 May 2017 10:10 AM PDT

Trump Not Ruling Out Pre-Emptive North Korea Strike

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 11:39 AM PDT

President Donald Trump says he won't be happy if North Korea conducts a sixth nuclear test, and he's not ruling out a pre-emptive strike.

Dallas paramedic shooting suspect found dead, 2nd body found

Posted: 01 May 2017 03:48 PM PDT

DALLAS (AP) — A man suspected of shooting and critically injuring a paramedic who was tending to a shooting victim on Monday has been found dead in a Dallas home, ending a threat that locked down the neighborhood for hours, authorities said.

Insider says Apple’s first new iOS product line in years will be unveiled at WWDC

Posted: 01 May 2017 07:42 AM PDT

In just a matter of days, a second trustworthy source has mentioned the Apple's unnamed Amazon Echo competitor. And this time around we have a purported launch date for the gadget, which will mark Apple's first new iOS-powered product line since the Apple Watch.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note to investors seen by 9to5Mac that Apple will launch a "Siri Speaker" product at WWDC 2017 un June. Kuo, who has an accurate track record when predicting Apple's plans, says there's a more than 50% chance of Apple announcing the device at its developers conference next month. The product should then hit stores in the second half of the year, though it's unclear how much it will cost.

Kuo calls the unbranded device "Apple's first home AI product," saying that it'll feature "excellent" sound, packing in seven tweeters and a subwoofer. The device will be sold as a more premium option compared to the Amazon Echo.

A few days ago, Apple leaker Sonny Dickson said that Apple's Siri speaker design is currently being finalized. He later added that the device might feature some form of Beats technology and run a version of iOS.

https://twitter.com/SonnyDickson/status/857584905982693379

Dickson further explained to Mashable that the gadget will feature a design similar to Apple's Mac Pro, but also to UE Boom's mesh speaker. Finally, he noted that it'll have controls in a concave area on top of the speaker.

Life in California's largest immigration detention center

Posted: 01 May 2017 08:54 AM PDT

Roberto Galan, 33, paid a trafficker $3,000 to smuggle him into the United States from El Salvador for the first time as a teenager in 1997. Now he is once again in deportation proceedings, being held at the Adelanto Detention Facility near San Bernardino, California, along with more than 1,800 other immigrants awaiting hearings or deportation after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Galan, who has convictions in California for selling marijuana and possession of a firearm, wears a red outfit at Adelanto, showing he is a "high risk" detainee, one who has committed a serious offence and spent time in state or federal prison. Others wear blue, signifying they have no criminal convictions or very minor misdemeanors on their record, or orange, which denotes a more serious crime but not a felony.

The Latest: Deputies: Los Angles carjacker shoots, kills 1

Posted: 29 Apr 2017 07:19 PM PDT

PICO RIVERA, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on a Los Angeles carjacking and shootings (all times local):

Feline Rescued by Passerby After Cat Fight Lands Him in the River Thames

Posted: 01 May 2017 12:07 PM PDT

Felix the feline had gotten into a fight with another cat when it landed him off the docks.

Barack Obama is 'ready' to return to politics, Joe Biden says

Posted: 01 May 2017 01:22 AM PDT

Barack Obama is willing to campaign for the Democratic Party, Joe Biden has said, indicating the former US President does not plan to retire from politics just yet. At an annual party dinner, Mr Biden extinguished rumours he will run for President in 2020, but said he and Mr Obama would do whatever they can to "help shape the public debate". "I'm ready to help raise money, recruit candidates, campaign – so is Barack – wherever you want, just let me know," he said, reported The Hill.

Famed Swiss climber Ueli Steck dies on Everest: officials

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 06:28 AM PDT

Swiss climber Ueli Steck, one of the most feted mountaineers of his generation and famed for his speed ascents of iconic Alpine routes, died on Mount Everest on Sunday, officials said. It seems he slipped," Ang Tsering Sherpa, head of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, told AFP. Steck, 40, was on Everest to acclimatise before attempting in May to summit the world's tallest peak followed by neighbouring Lhotse, connecting a series of ridges to design a never before climbed route.

People Are Calling McDonald's "A Monster" For Taking This Drink Off Its Menu

Posted: 01 May 2017 11:05 AM PDT

Oh no they didn't.

Key Trump priorities left out of US spending deal

Posted: 01 May 2017 04:08 PM PDT

US President Donald Trump is "pleased" with a bipartisan deal to fund government through September, the White House said Monday, even though several of his top priorities were left out of the agreement. The newly-unveiled congressional deal includes Trump's call for increased military spending, but rejects his demand to fund a border wall and maintains spending levels for key government operations including the State Department that he had proposed gutting. The agreement was struck late Sunday after weeks of tense negotiations fueled the threat of a government shutdown just as Trump was marking his 100th day in office.

The Latest: Campus police defend delay in warning system

Posted: 01 May 2017 04:53 PM PDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the stabbings at the University of Texas (all times local):

Apple Extends Warranty For Apple Watches With Swollen Battery Damage

Posted: 01 May 2017 10:04 AM PDT

If your first-generation Apple Watch has experienced damage from a swollen battery, Apple will cover repairs for an extra year.

FBI agent married rapper turned Isis fighter before realising her mistake

Posted: 01 May 2017 03:46 PM PDT

A former FBI interpreter reportedly ran away to marry an Isis terror leader before realising her mistake and coming back to the US to turn herself in. Daniela Greene travelled to Syria where she was wed to German national Denis Cuspert, who rapped under the moniker Deso Dog in his homeland, before changing his name to Abu Talha al-Almani in Syria. Videos featuring the one time musician — whose primary role is to attract Germans to the terror group — show him on bloody battle fields and threatening former President Barack Obama.

Don’t worry, we’ll help you ditch your iPhone and switch to the Galaxy S8

Posted: 01 May 2017 08:51 AM PDT

I would like nothing more than to ditch Apple's 3-year-old iPhone design and trade up to the sleek new Galaxy S8+ that was released just over a week ago. Samsung's new flagship phones feature hardware that no other company can compete with right now. Plus, there's still a painfully long wait until September (or October/November, if the rumors are correct and Apple's iPhone 8 release will be delayed) rolls around and Apple finally unveils its completely redesigned iPhone 8.

Sadly, switching to the sleek new Galaxy S8 isn't an option for me personally. I explained why in a recent article, and then I added yet another reason why I could never dump my iPhone for Samsung's new Galaxy flagship. Of course, not everyone is locked in like me, and plenty of people out there will be ditching their iPhones for a new Galaxy S8 or S8+. It might seem like a daunting task, but it's actually much easier than you think.

The thought of switching from one smartphone platform to another used to be enough to send people running for the hills. News flash: it's not 2014 anymore, ladies and gentlemen. In 2017, it's actually quite easy to switch from iOS to Android or vice versa.

First of all, many people out there are already using Google services for things like contacts and calendar events. Even photos and videos will already be taken care of for anyone using the fantastic Google Photos app on his or her iPhone. iCloud is great for some things, but using platform agnostic services like the ones Google provides (for free, if you're willing to pay with your personal data) is a better option in many ways. Google services will never be integrated into iOS as deeply as iCloud, but they work on any device and afford other nifty features iCloud does not.

Whether or not your contacts, calendar events, and media files are covered by cloud services like Google's, it's still wonderfully easy to move all of your data from your old iPhone to your new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. In fact, all you'll need is a computer and two pieces of free software.

First, you'll need to download and install the latest version of iTunes (and just think... this might be the last time you ever have to use iTunes!). Once installed, use iTunes to make a new backup of your iPhone just like you normally do. Apple's instructions can be found right here if you've never backed up with iTunes before.

Once that's done, head to Samsung's website and download the Samsung Smart Switch app for Windows or macOS. Some apps designed to help you move data from an iOS device to an Android device are clunky and unreliable, but Samsung's app is actually pretty solid. Open Smart Switch, connect your new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ to your computer with the supplied USB-C cable, and the app will walk you through the process.

Smart Switch uses the iPhone backup file created by iTunes to transfer your data to your new Galaxy S8. When you first connect, the app will ask if you want to back up your Galaxy phone, restore your phone, or sync your phone. You'll select the option to restore it, and then you'll click on "Select a different backup" and choose "iTunes Backup Data."

After that, all you can choose which data you'd like to transfer to your Galaxy S8 (contacts, calendar, notes, photos, etc.), and you're done. You won't even lose your call history, text messages, or iMessages, since all of that data can be transferred as well.

Now all that's left to do is enjoy your new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. I'm already jealous.

Thirteen of the Most Fun New Cars You Can Buy for Less Than $40,000

Posted: 01 May 2017 10:58 AM PDT

N. Korea missile fears in Japan: 'Whatever will be, will be'

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 11:29 PM PDT

FUSSA, Japan (AP) — Residents living near U.S. military bases in Japan are facing a fresh reality: Their neighborhoods are on the front-line of North Korea's dispute with America and if Pyongyang were to attack they would have just minutes to shelter from incoming missiles.

India mob kill two Muslim men over suspected cow theft

Posted: 01 May 2017 01:36 AM PDT

Two Muslim men were beaten to death by stick-weilding Indian villagers who suspected them of stealing cows, police said Monday, the latest such attack over the animal Hindus consider sacred. Police in northeastern Assam state's Nagaon district said they had registered a murder case over the deaths of Abu Hanifa and Riyazuddin Ali on Sunday. "They were chased and beaten with sticks by villagers who said the two boys were trying to steal cows from their grazing field," Debaraj Upadhyay, Nagaon's top cop, told AFP by telephone.

Republican lawmaker Ros-Lehtinen, a Trump critic, to retire

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 12:56 PM PDT

U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a moderate Republican from South Florida who has been critical of President Donald Trump, plans to retire when her term is up next year, according to an interview she gave on Sunday to the Miami Herald. The decision by Ros-Lehtinen not to seek re-election could give Democrats a chance to pick up a seat in the 2018 congressional election.

6 Amazing Benefits of Oatmeal

Posted: 01 May 2017 06:06 AM PDT

Oatmeal is more than a yummy breakfast food. It's super heart healthy, and packs plenty of dietary fiber to keep you satisfied all morning long. Watch the video to learn about this whole grain's health benefits.

Tad Cummins' Wife Feels Betrayed By Elizabeth Thomas

Posted: 29 Apr 2017 10:39 PM PDT

Tad, who is accused of kidnapping his teenage student, was arrested mid-April.

Vice President Mike Pence admits Trump's tax plan could increase deficit

Posted: 01 May 2017 11:07 AM PDT

Donald Trump's proposed tax plan could increase the national deficit, his Vice President Mike Pence has admitted. The White House has released a one-page outline of their tax plan, which includes proposals to cut the business tax rate to 15 per cent, eliminate the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, and reduce the number of tax brackets from seven to three.

Blue Sadie headphones review: premium audio at a premium price

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 09:01 AM PDT

Blue, a company known for their microphones and recording equipment, has rolled out a new line of premium headphones. The prices go from $250 to $700, but the sweetest spot for most people would probably be the $400 Sadie over-ear headphones. For the price, you get an integrated amplifier that's supposed to give you high-quality, distortion-free audio like you'd get from a fancy headphone pre-amp, but in a setup that you can take with you. The fit is probably the best part of these headphones: a pair of articulating arms adjust to fit your ears perfectly, and memory foam pads mean you can wear them for a long time without it being uncomfortable. The company claims that the design was inspired by the suspension system race cars use. While that might be a stretch, the built-in amplifier allows them to get about as loud as one, and the closed-ear design blocks out external noise very well, so you could definitely use them in a crowded area to enjoy your music in peace. As for style, they're a clean dark grey with metallic accents, and you can tell right away that they're top of line cans. The nice thing is that unlike a lot of other headphones, they aren't super gaudy, and they don't make you look like a wanna-be club D.J. When it comes to practicality, things also look good. The headphones come with a 4-foot aux cable with iPhone controls that allow you to play, pause and skip songs, as well as a longer 10' cable to use with a desktop computer, or anywhere where you need a bit more wiggle room. As for the sound, it's about what you would expect for headphones that retail for about four hundred dollars: it's clear, warm, and the integrated amplifier allows you to crank up the volume without distorting the sound quality. Sadly, that's really the best thing you can say about the amp: it means you don't have to crank the volume on your smartphone, so you don't get swamped with distortion. But you're still relying on your smartphone's amplifier for the original signal, so you're never going to get the kind of audio quality you would with a pre-amp and a better-definition source. The amp has two settings, a regular amp mode and Amp+, which is supposed to emulate the sound of vinyl records. In practice, Amp+ is louder than the regular amp setting, but other differences are difficult to discern. In some ways, I think Blue's missed an ideal chance here: one of the benefits of smartphones without traditional headphone jacks was supposed to be headphones that connect with a Lightning or USB-C connection. Those headphones would use their own internal amp rather than the phone's amplifier, allowing for much better audio quality. The Sadies already have the difficult part of that, namely the dedicated amplifier. With an optional Lightning or USB-C connector, I could see a major improvement in sound fidelity, and an option to play high-bitrate music without the limitation of the iPhone's audio circuitry. Without a standout feature like that, the Sadies become like any other pair of expensive, great-sounding on-ear headphones. The sound is great, fit is exceptional, but $400 is still a high asking price for a standard, cabled pair of headphones.

Alligator Restrained by 2 Pairs of Handcuffs After It's Caught Breaking Into a Home

Posted: 01 May 2017 07:30 AM PDT

Louisiana firefighters handcuffed an alligator last week after it was caught roaming around a house under construction.

Just when you thought it was over, here's the mermaid frappuccino

Posted: 01 May 2017 01:08 PM PDT

Congratulations, Starbucks. You played yourself. You thought the unicorn frappuccino was going to be a good idea, and it was. We're sure it made you a ton of money. But now that people have been alerted to the idea that you can be creative with your drink order, complicated recipes are popping up everywhere in an attempt to be the next big frappuccino trend, like the dragon frappuccino we've seen going around the last few weeks. Well, now there's the mermaid frappuccino. Maybe people really are trying to take our list of mythical creature frappuccinos and giving it a go. SEE ALSO: Here's how you can make Starbucks' Unicorn Frappuccino at home A post shared by Jócelyn Freeman (@themodernbarista) on Apr 26, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT The mermaid frappuccino was first created by Jocelyn, a barista in Michigan, after her location ran out of the ingredients for the unicorn frappuccino. Jocelyn describes the recipe for the beverage in her Instagram post. Her mermaid frappuccino consists of a vanilla bean base blended with freeze-dried blueberries and drizzled with "a toasted coconut matcha sauce." A post shared by Chase Murphy (@chacemurfy) on Apr 24, 2017 at 8:57am PDT Websites dedicated to compiling Starbucks secret menu items have also caught onto the frappuccino, listing very specific recipe instructions for both the drink itself and the drizzle. According to Starbucks Secret Menu's website, the drizzle calls for "eight pumps of white mocha sauce, three pumps toasted coconut syrup, three heaping scoops of matcha." If that sounds like mad work, that's because it is. Putting all of those things together just for one frappuccino sounds like a big waste of time. But as long as people keep coming up with these novelty frappuccinos, baristas everywhere will be forced to continue to make them. Next time you get your frappuccino, make sure to pour some out for all those poor baristas out there. Or tip them. WATCH: Woman uses Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino to spread some magical news to her husband

US-backed fighters retake more areas from IS in Syrian town

Posted: 01 May 2017 06:26 AM PDT

BEIRUT (AP) — U.S.-backed opposition fighters led by Syrian Kurdish forces captured more territory from the Islamic State group in the northern town of Tabqa on Monday, pushing the extremists to northern neighborhoods close to one of Syria's largest dams.

Qatar upholds rare death sentence in UK teacher's murder

Posted: 30 Apr 2017 07:52 AM PDT

A Doha court on Sunday upheld the death penalty in the retrial of a Qatari man convicted of murdering a 24-year-old British female teacher. Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr was found guilty of stabbing Lauren Patterson and then burning her body in the Qatari desert in October 2013. "The defendant was fully aware of the consequences of his actions," Doha's court of cassation ruled.

Asian nations pulled into China's orbit as Trump puts America first

Posted: 01 May 2017 05:13 AM PDT

By Martin Petty and Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - Across Asia, more and more countries are being pulled into Beijing's orbit, with the timid stance adopted by Southeast Asian nations on the South China Sea at a weekend summit a clear sign this fundamental geostrategic shift is gathering momentum. U.S. President Donald Trump's flurry of calls at the weekend to the leaders of the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore might cheer those who fear his predecessor Barack Obama's "pivot" to Asia has been abandoned in favor of an "America First" agenda.