| Trump Threatens Long Jail Sentences Over Campaign ‘Spying’ Posted: 17 May 2019 04:46 AM PDT  "My Campaign for President was conclusively spied on. Nothing like this has ever happened in American Politics," Trump said Friday on Twitter. Trump has said he's in favor of Attorney General William Barr's decision to investigate the origins of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
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| Democratic Politicians Ignore Pro-Life Women Posted: 17 May 2019 03:30 AM PDT  Senator Doug Jones (D., Ala.) tweeted in response to anti-abortion legislation passed by the Alabama legislature: "I refuse to believe that these Republican men represent the views of most Alabamians. Their action is both unconstitutional and shameful. The people of Alabama deserve to be on the rightsideofhistory - not the side of extremists. Women deserve better."It seems much more likely that Senator Jones is the one who is out of step. A 2014 Pew poll found that Alabama is among the most pro-life states in the country, with 58 percent saying the procedure should be illegal in "all or most cases." It's possible that among the 58 percent who oppose abortion in Alabama, some will find the legislation passed this week to be too extreme, but don't count on it. Just last year, voters approved a state constitutional amendment declaring that it is "the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children." Fifty-nine percent of voters voted in favor.Since the vote making abortion illegal in Alabama, Republican members of the Alabama senate have been targets of accusations -- mostly that they are male and white. A number of outlets pointed to the fact that all 25 votes in favor of legislation were white, male Republicans. Okay. But the Alabama house has lots of Republican women. The bill's sponsor in the lower chamber was a woman, as was the governor who signed the bill.Those who fixate on the "problem" of whiteness may think this is some sort of knock-out blow, but the truth is that these senators are accurately representing the views of their constituents, including women. A 2018 PRRI survey found that 60 percent of Republican women agreed with the statement "Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overturned." This compared with only 47 percent of Republican men. Democratic pollster Celinda Lake notes that women tend to be more religious than men, and this aligns with more conservative views on abortion.Still, partisan lines remain blurry on abortion. More than a third of Republicans favor keeping abortion legal. Until Brett Kavanaugh's ascension to the Supreme Court, the issue may not have ranked very high for them. They could vote for Republicans -- with whom they agree on other issues -- safe in the knowledge that nothing would threaten the regime of legal abortion throughout the nation. Now that the Court has a possible majority for overturning Roe, the calculations of moderate Republicans may change.Moderate Democrats may be out in the cold too. In the aftermath of the 2018 election, Democrats burst from the gate with legislation that expanded abortion even beyond Roe's contours. New York passed the Reproductive Health Act that permits even late-term abortions in the "absence of fetal viability, or [when] the abortion is necessary to protect the patient's life or health." When health is interpreted to mean "mental health," it opens a gaping loophole. Sometimes late-term pregnancies must be terminated to save the mother's physical health -- but that doesn't mean an abortion is required. Even very premature infants commonly survive these days.Democrats also painted themselves as abortion extremists by opposing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, insisting -- falsely -- that late-term abortions are only performed when there are severe fetal abnormalities or when the mother's life is at risk.But now Republicans risk being viewed as extremists. With seven states having passed abortion laws that may transgress the boundaries established by Roe, the question now is whether the pro-life cause is best served by this frontal-assault strategy. The Alabama law makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. And while it's true that the child bears no guilt for the way he or she was conceived, it may not be prudent to refuse to concede that ground. A 2018 Gallup poll found that 77 percent of respondents want abortion to be legal in cases of rape and incest. The exception has long been included in other pro-life legislation, such as the Hyde Amendment.Whatever happens, these stirrings at the state level may provoke an overdue reckoning about the truth of abortion. It isn't rare. It is usually performed on perfectly healthy mothers and babies. And it isn't the only alternative for women unable to raise a child. There are 36 couples waiting for an adoptive child for every one placed. Why is that humane solution so commonly overlooked?© 2019 creators.com
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| ‘Fox & Friends’ Host Brian Kilmeade: Border Crisis Is ‘Almost Like’ 9/11 Posted: 17 May 2019 08:15 AM PDT  Remember when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, killing 3,000 people and sending the U.S. down a path of never-ending war? Or when the financial markets melted down in 2008, causing the Great Recession with millions of jobs lost?According to Fox News host Brian Kilmeade the influx of asylum-seeking migrants arriving at America's southern border is akin to both.During Friday's broadcast of President Trump's favorite morning show Fox & Friends, the curvy-couch crew discussed the president's recently unveiled immigration plan. After co-hosts Ainsley Earhardt and Steve Doocy seemed to acknowledge the president's proposal likely won't go very far, Kilmeade pivoted to the situation at the border."But you know what I want and I think we all want?" Kilmeade declared. "There is a five-alarm fire out on our southern border right now and the men and women every day need some help. And this plan—this plan is not going to help."Doocy jumped in, claiming this was why Trump "essentially rolled this out," adding that the president is saying he wants immigration reform and the only way to achieve it is "to elect more Republicans."This prompted Kilmeade to take aim at Democrats, scolding the party's leaders for calling the situation at the border a "manufactured crisis" before likening it to the worst terror attack in the nation's history."But there's an opportunity because there are times when Democrats and Republicans come together," he exclaimed. "When the market fell apart in 2008 and after 9/11, this is almost like that at the border."Kilmeade added: "We have never seen these numbers before and the men and women who have to round up these illegals who want to become part of our country are saying please help us."This is far from the first time that the conservative cable news host has fear-mongered on immigration. He's repeatedly warned about non-English speaking kids "flooding" American school systems and floated putting missiles on drones to stop "people storming the border."Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Huawei's HiSilicon says it has long been preparing for U.S. ban scenario Posted: 16 May 2019 10:37 PM PDT ![Huawei's HiSilicon says it has long been preparing for U.S. ban scenario]( "Huawei's HiSilicon says it has long been preparing for U.S. ban scenario") Huawei Technologies' chip arm HiSilicon said on Friday it has long been prepared for the "extreme scenario" that it could be banned from purchasing U.S. chips and technology, and is able to ensure steady supply of most products. HiSilicon, which mainly designs chips for Huawei equipment, made the comments in a letter to staff attributed to President He Tingbo dated "the small hours of May 17", shortly after the United States officially banned Huawei from buying U.S. technology without special approval. HiSilicon has been secretly developing back-up products for years in anticipation of the unlikely scenario that Huawei may one day be unable to obtain advanced chips and technology from the United States, He said in the letter.
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| Saudi Arabia calls urgent Gulf, Arab League meetings over tensions Posted: 18 May 2019 03:09 PM PDT  Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the Gulf, the Saudi official news agency said on Saturday. The Saudi Press Agency said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region.
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| Former House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's impact on the 2020 race Posted: 18 May 2019 10:18 AM PDT  Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez takes veiled swipe at former Vice President Joe Biden over climate change.
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| Vineyard Vines arrives at Target on Saturday. How to shop the limited-edition collaboration Posted: 18 May 2019 09:44 AM PDT  Set your alarm clock if you're interested in shopping Target's latest designer collaboration, Vineyard Vines. The new collection goes on sale May 18.
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| View Photos of the First Hot Wheels Toy Based on a Fan's Custom Car Posted: 18 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT |
| Erdogan Slams Turkish Tycoon Who Dared to Criticize Policies Posted: 17 May 2019 01:49 AM PDT ![Erdogan Slams Turkish Tycoon Who Dared to Criticize Policies]( "Erdogan Slams Turkish Tycoon Who Dared to Criticize Policies") "What was Turkey's per capita income 17 years ago, and what is it now?" Erdogan said late Thursday during a speech in Istanbul. Ozilhan this week made comments seen as criticism of Turkey's economy and governance.
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| 'TREASON!': Trump says his campaign was spied on. Current and former FBI officials disagree. Posted: 17 May 2019 07:53 AM PDT  The president on Friday claimed his campaign was "conclusively spied on" as Attorney General William Barr continued to defend his probe of the origins of the Russia investigation.
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| Missouri's GOP-led Legislature passes 8-week abortion ban Posted: 17 May 2019 07:18 PM PDT  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's Republican-led House on Friday passed sweeping legislation designed to survive court challenges, which would ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy.
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| Boeing says 737 MAX software update is complete Posted: 16 May 2019 10:11 PM PDT  Boeing said Thursday that it completed its software update on the 737 MAX after two deadly crashes resulted in a global grounding of the aircraft. "With safety as our clear priority, we have completed all of the engineering test flights for the software update and are preparing for the final certification flight," said Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. Boeing's announcement sent shares up 2.6 percent to $354.44 in afternoon trading.
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| Nearly 180 former Ohio State University students claim sexual abuse by doctor Posted: 17 May 2019 07:31 PM PDT  Dr. Richard Strauss was accused of abusing at least 177 male students when he worked as a physician for the university's athletic department and the student health center from 1978 to 1998, the report said, detailing the findings of a year-long independent investigation. Staff members knew of the abuse as early as 1979, but complaints were never elevated to administrators and senior officials of the athletics or student health departments until 1996. At that time, the school suspended and ultimately removed Strauss after a "very limited investigation" into a student's claim that the doctor fondled him during an exam, the report said.
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| De Blasio Is the Ferris Bueller of Democratic Presidential Candidates Posted: 17 May 2019 03:30 AM PDT  The most rational response to the news that New York City mayor Bill de Blasio wants to be president is to ask, "Of what?"When informed that he wants to be president of the United States and not of, say, the local organic-hemp co-op, perhaps the next best response would be to take a page from the South and say, "Bless his heart."One of the more charming things about de Blasio is his amiable lack of self-awareness. He seems to have no idea that he doesn't impress anybody. The obliviousness is somewhat understandable. He did get elected — twice. But his victories have more to do with the dysfunction of New York City politics than with any strength on his part. In 2013 he won the Democratic primary — which assured victory in the fall — in the lowest election turnout in decades. After 3 percent of New Yorkers voted for him, he saw a landslide.He must bring a similar perspective to his poll numbers. According to a Quinnipiac survey released this month, 76 percent of New Yorkers don't think de Blasio should run for president — and it's not because they're desperate to keep him on the job.It was famously said of George H. W. Bush that he was the kind of guy who was born on third base and thought he'd hit a triple. This was always more than a little unfair to the elder President Bush, given that at 17 he signed up to become one of the youngest combat pilots in the Pacific during World War II and went on to work harder at politics and public service than arguably any president since (with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter). But the barb drew blood because it sounded clever and exploited the always reliable American resentment against affluent political dynasties.The same dynamic isn't at work with de Blasio. He didn't grow up poor, but he didn't grow up rich either. Politically, he is the consummate example of someone born — or in this case elected — on home plate who can't understand why no one in the stands is cheering his home run. When he was poised to win reelection, he was asked by New York magazine why he wasn't more popular. He admitted that he was somewhat mystified. Given the strength of the economy and the low crime rate, "You'd assume they'd be having parades out in the streets" in his honor, he said.They're not, because he is a Ferris Bueller. In the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris (Matthew Broderick) jumps out in front of a parade and acts like he's leading it. De Blasio inherited the successes of Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, two mayors who wrestled the city back from the brink of social and economic collapse."De Blasio's record as mayor doesn't have a policy theme," writes Nicole Gelinas in City & State New York. "It's just a mishmash of half-executed ideas that add up to a city little different than it was before he got here. Even his biggest accomplishments, rather than striking out in a bold new direction, are building on existing trends."Worse, de Blasio takes credit for the successes of his predecessors on crime, poverty, and the economy but refuses to take responsibility for the growing problems on his watch, from abysmal mass transit to an exploding homeless population.And that points to the real problem with de Blasio: He's lazy. He's famous for being asleep on the job — literally. He often oversleeps, arriving late for important events such as funerals or, in one case, an event in his own residence. "Some voters have a perception that he has an up-at-the-crack-of-noon attitude," political strategist Gerry O'Brien told the New York Post.This laziness isn't just physical but intellectual. Like the president of a college chapter of the Young Socialists, de Blasio is the sort of politician who thinks rolling out of bed and announcing something is the same thing as doing something, that boldness in rhetoric is a substitute for boldness of action. New Yorkers — even very liberal New Yorkers — see that.Still, it makes sense that de Blasio is running, because in a field of 24 (and counting) contenders, and with no future political prospects in his home state, he's got little to lose. He can raise money from rubes who haven't been burned already, get on a bunch of TV shows, and — who knows? — he lucked out before. Maybe he'll stumble to the front of another parade.© 2019 Tribune Content Agency LLC
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| Glock 31 Gun: All You Need To Know About this Powerful Pistol Posted: 18 May 2019 04:30 AM PDT  In the early 1990s, a handful of calibers emerged to challenge the nine-millimeter as the dominant semi-automatic handgun round. One of these, the .357 Sig, is the caliber of choice for the Glock 31 pistol. The Glock 31 is the company's offering for those into high velocity or long distance handgun shooting. The G31 also comes with a large magazine capacity, making it an excellent self-defense or duty sidearm.The now infamous 1986 FBI Miami shootout was a watershed moment in the history of law enforcement. Eight FBI agents armed with pistols and shotguns engaged two bank robbers armed with superior weapons. Over the course of the gun battle, which saw the federal agents pinned down by suppressive fire from a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle, two agents were killed and another five wounded. The two bank robbers were hit multiple times by incoming fire but were both able to continue shooting, contributing to the very high law enforcement casualty rate.In the aftermath of the shootout, the FBI and other government agencies began the search for a new, more powerful handgun round. Nine-millimeter and .38 Special proved ineffective at stopping the robbers, while .357 Magnum was a revolver cartridge that limited the user's carrying capacity to six rounds at a time. Law enforcement wanted a powerful round that could be carried in large quantities.
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| Exclusive - U.S. may scale back Huawei trade restrictions to help existing customers Posted: 17 May 2019 10:20 PM PDT ![Exclusive - U.S. may scale back Huawei trade restrictions to help existing customers]( "Exclusive - U.S. may scale back Huawei trade restrictions to help existing customers") The Commerce Department, which had effectively halted Huawei's ability to buy American-made parts and components, is considering issuing a temporary general license to "prevent the interruption of existing network operations and equipment," a spokeswoman said. Potential beneficiaries of the license could, for example, include internet access and mobile phone service providers in thinly populated places such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. In effect, the Commerce Department would allow Huawei to purchase U.S. goods so it can help existing customers maintain the reliability of networks and equipment, but the Chinese firm still would not be allowed to buy American parts and components to manufacture new products.
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| Samsung phones have a clever new hidden feature you won’t find on any iPhone Posted: 17 May 2019 05:21 AM PDT  Samsung's Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+ are easily the company's most exciting new flagship smartphones in years. Samsung's devastating decline in sales last year was due in large part to the release of three of the most boring new smartphones the South Korean giant has ever made. The Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 9 all looked almost identical to their predecessors, and they offered no novel new features whatsoever. There was absolutely no reason to buy one to upgrade from an earlier Samsung phone, and so most people chose to skip them. The company's earnings plummeted as a result, so it was clear that Samsung would really have to up its game in 2019 if it hoped to reverse course.Thankfully, the company came through big time right out of the gate in 2019. The Galaxy S10 series features a bold new design that people love. It ditches the big bezels from Samsung's earlier smartphones and replaces them with an all-screen design that places the front-facing cameras inside the display itself. This new "hole-punch" design instantly won over fans, and sales have reportedly been terrific so far, which could be due in part to the fact that Samsung's biggest rival Apple pulled a "Galaxy S9" of its own this year. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max offer no compelling new features whatsoever compared to the iPhone X from 2017, so Apple fans haven't exactly been knocking down doors to upgrade. While it's not exactly an Earth-shattering addition, smartphone shoppers who opted for a Galaxy phone over Apple's latest iPhones now have another reason to be happy thanks to a very clever hidden feature the company just introduced.Samsung isn't exactly the most innovative company when it comes to smartphones. In fact, it often falls on its face when it tries to get creative -- just look at the disaster that is the Galaxy Fold, Samsung's first smartphone with a foldable display. It has a hideous design with a giant notch and big fat bezels around both of its screens. On top of that, it was a piece of junk so Samsung had to postpone the phone's release in order to fix some preposterous design issues.The South Korean smartphone giant is indeed much better at refinement than it is at innovation. Just look at the evolution of the Galaxy S smartphone line, which started as a plasticky iPhone copycat and has since become the standard by which premium smartphones are measured. With innovation generally isn't Samsung's strong suit, the company does come up with some pretty cool features from time to time. Now, a new one has just been introduced that really is quite clever. Sadly though, it's currently only available in one region.Head to Bill's, The Breakfast Club, Patty & Bun, or Pizza Pilgrims location in the United Kingdom and you'll now find a tiny QR code on the menu. If you're an iPhone user or you have a smartphone from any other phone vendor, that QR code means nothing to you. But if you have a Samsung phone, scanning the QR code unlocks secret menu items that only you can order."Bill's, The Breakfast Club, Patty & Bun, and Pizza Pilgrims have been secretly creating some exciting dishes that only Samsung owners can get their teeth into," Samsung wrote on the Secret Menu page on its website. "All you need to do is pop in to your favourite restaurant (or all of them if you prefer), find a Secret Menu, and look for an AR code. Then it's just a case of unlocking the exclusive dishes using a Samsung phone."It's unclear when or even if the feature will be made available at other restaurants or in other regions, but we hope it expands. Secret Menu is a smart and fun feature, and it's a great way to create some buzz around Samsung phones.
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| 2020 Vision: There are 14 white male Dems running for president. So why should Kamala Harris settle for veep? Posted: 17 May 2019 09:39 AM PDT  Few have suggested that any of the white guys in the race would be better suited to serve as vice president. That dubious honor, it seems, has so far been reserved for candidates of color — black women in particular.
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| The Latest: Ordnance team on scene of California F-16 crash Posted: 17 May 2019 09:06 AM PDT  RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the crash of an F-16 fighter jet in Southern California (all times local):
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| Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards prepares to sign restrictive abortion bill Posted: 18 May 2019 10:18 AM PDT  "My inclination is to sign it," Gov. John Bel Edwards said when discussing a "heartbeat bill" currently under consideration in the state Legislature.
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| No Longer a Trade Tiff: China Screams ‘People’s War’ Posted: 17 May 2019 04:00 AM PDT  "People's war." That's the Communist Party's new term for the trade dispute with the United States.The Global Times, the party's nationalist tabloid, used that phrase on the May 13, but China's leaders obviously approved of the rhetorical escalation. Both People's Daily, the self-described "mouthpiece" of China's ruling organization, and the official Xinhua News Agency carried the piece to wider audiences.There seems to be a mismatch in perceptions. President Donald Trump, in comments to reporters on Tuesday, characterized the trade disagreement this way: "We're having a little squabble with China."Trump was calming jittery markets. The party, on the other hand, was inflaming passions. The stoking of emotions—"people's war" suggests America is an enemy of all Chinese—suggests a trade agreement between the planet's two largest economies is not in the cards anytime soon.For months, market participants outside China, buying into the persistent cheerleading of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, assumed the two giants would reach a trade pact this spring. Most observers ignored, among other things, internal Chinese factors pushing Beijing away from agreement with the United States.
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| UPDATE 1-Argentina grants offshore oil, gas exploration permits in Malvinas West basin Posted: 17 May 2019 08:06 PM PDT ![UPDATE 1-Argentina grants offshore oil, gas exploration permits in Malvinas West basin]( "UPDATE 1-Argentina grants offshore oil, gas exploration permits in Malvinas West basin") Argentina awarded permits for hydrocarbon exploration in 18 areas off its southern coast to companies including Exxon Mobil Corp, Total SA , YPF SA and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the government said on Friday. The winning companies offered bids totaling $724 million, the government said in official statements, and won the rights to explore for up to 13 years in areas of the South Atlantic, some near the Malvinas Islands under the control of the British government but whose sovereignty is claimed by Argentina. The other companies that will make up exploration consortia in Argentina's Malvinas West basin include BP, Qatar Petroleum, Tullow Oil, Pluspetrol , Wintershall, Equinor, Eni , Mitsui &Co Ltd and Tecpetrol SA.
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| Turkey says to produce S-500s with Russia after S-400 missile deal Posted: 18 May 2019 03:39 PM PDT  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey and Russia would jointly produce S-500 defence systems after Ankara's controversial purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Moscow. Turkey's push to buy the S-400s has further strained already tense relations with the United States which has repeatedly warned Ankara of the risks including sanctions as a result of the purchase. "There is absolutely no question of (Turkey) taking a step back from the S-400s purchase.
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| A camera phone that puts Samsung and Apple to shame now has 5G, too – but it’s banned in the US Posted: 17 May 2019 11:06 AM PDT  Verizon just launched the Galaxy S10 5G, but Samsung is hardly the only company putting out 5G smartphones this year. International carriers have also started rolling out 5G networks and compatible smartphones, and UK carriers are the latest ones to prepare for their 5G launches. However, one of the first phones to deliver 5G experiences in Britain is a device that you'll have a hard time scoring in the States, even if you just want the older 4G version. That's because it's made by Huawei, the Chinese company the US government has just targeted with additional punitive measures.When it launched the Mate 20 series last fall, Huawei came out with a few features that were not available on any other Android handsets at the time. The Mate 20 Pro was the flagship version of the three Mate 20 phones, and Huawei also launched a regular Mate 20 as well as a Mate 20 X model geared toward gaming. The latter has just received 5G support, and it's available in the UK for £999 unlocked. That's £200 more than the 4G model.Huawei unveiled the 5G version of the Mate 20 X in London on Friday, reports 9to5Google, and it's exactly what you expect -- a 5G version of the device that Huawei launched as a gaming phone last year.The phone packs the same huge 7.2-inch FullView display, Kirin 980 chip, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and class-leading triple-lens main camera as the 4G version. But the phone has a smaller battery (4,200 mAh vs. 5,000 mAh) and lacks the 3.5mm headphone jack the 4G version has. You still get fast 40W battery charging on the 5G model, though. That's probably because of all the extra internal space occupied by the 5G components, including a Balong 5000 5G chip and the 5G antennas.The Mate 20 X 5G is obviously still a flagship device by all accounts and will work on all local carriers in Britain, including EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone. The Mate 20 X 5G is the first Huawei 5G phone to launch this year, but it should be followed somewhat closely by the foldable Mate X the company unveiled earlier this year.
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| Alabama executes murderer one day after signing near-total ban on abortions to ‘protect life’ Posted: 16 May 2019 11:20 PM PDT  Alabama executed a convicted murderer on Thursday, a day after the state enacted a near-total ban on abortions — two actions on contentious social issues that often have people across the political spectrum invoking the sanctity of human life."It's a contradiction that I always observed," said Hannah Cox, the national manager of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, an advocacy group. Approving of executions, Ms Cox said, is "a stance that cheapens the pro-life argument."Ms Cox, who is originally from Alabama and opposes both abortion and the death penalty, said that more conservatives were coming to feel the same way, offering as evidence Republican-sponsored bills to repeal the death penalty that have been introduced in 11 state legislatures.Michael Brandon Samra was executed by lethal injection on Thursday evening, according to Alabama attorney general Steven T Marshall. Samra and a friend, Mark Duke, were convicted in 1997 of killing four people — Duke's father, the father's girlfriend and the girlfriend's two young daughters — after a dispute over a pickup truck. Both defendants were sentenced to death, but Duke's sentence was later overturned because he was 16 at the time of the killings; Samra was 19.Though the timing was coincidental, the actions taken by Alabama on consecutive days served to highlight widely held positions on the political right that some people say are in conflict, with protecting human life held paramount in one context but not another.Governor Kay Ivey, who declined to halt the scheduled execution, has expressed some discomfort with her role in the death penalty. Early in her tenure, she said she did not "relish the responsibility that I hold" in capital cases, and she has repeatedly depicted it as an unwelcome duty of her office."How to proceed when faced with a potential execution is one of the most difficult decisions I will ever have to make as governor," she said after one execution. "No governor covets the responsibility of weighing the merits of life or death; but it is a burden I accept as part of my pledge to uphold the laws of this state."Even so, Ms Ivey has not used her authority under the state constitution to reprieve or commute any death sentence since she took office in April 2017. The state, which carries out executions at an ageing prison near the Florida border, has now executed seven people during her tenure.A spokesperson for the governor did not respond to messages on Thursday seeking comment, but Ms Ivey issued a statement after Samra was put to death."Alabama will not stand for the loss of life in our state, and with this heinous crime, we must respond with punishment," the statement said. "These four victims deserved a future, and Mr Samra took that opportunity away from them and did so with no sense of remorse. This evening justice has been delivered to the loved ones of these victims, and it signals that Alabama does not tolerate murderous acts of any nature."Alabama currently has 176 more prisoners awaiting execution. All but two of them were convicted of murder; 65 have been on death row for more than 20 years.While death penalty opponents like Ms Cox wonder how Christian conservatives like the governor can oppose abortion but uphold execution, others say the two stances become coherent when viewed through a lens of innocence and guilt."In a sense, it's perfectly comprehensible," said Mark Silk, a professor of religion at Trinity College. "Their view is that unborn babies and foetuses are innocent life. They've done nothing to merit the death penalty. Whereas murderers have done something to merit the death penalty. It's an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. It's how they look at the world."Mr Silk said that white evangelicals in particular, who make up more than half the electorate in Alabama, may run into difficulty when men or women "find their way to Jesus" while on death row."So much of evangelicalism has to do with conversion," he said. "That's such a core experience for them. A murderer or rapist finding their way to God is as powerful a manifestation of conversion that you can find."Ms Cox said she found the argument that life is something to be protected only when it is innocent to be "flimsy.""People should be still held accountable, but there should be more nuance," she said. "You are not the sum of the worst thing you've ever done."The Catholic Church's teachings oppose both abortion and capital punishment on similar grounds."Pro-life values are meaningless when they are inconsistent," said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilising Network, a group working to end capital punishment. "The sanctity of human life applies to each and every person, innocent and guilty," she said, adding that the church teaches that a person's God-given dignity "is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes."The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest evangelical denomination, says its support of the death penalty has roots in biblical teachings. "Imposing the death penalty can help the murderer restore the broken relationship with their creator, not just with humankind," says an article posted by an arm of the convention that addresses public issues. "While we have an interest in a criminal's return to society, we should be even more concerned with the state of their soul."The New York Times
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| Oprah surprises New Jersey principal, students with $500K donation Posted: 18 May 2019 08:31 AM PDT  Oprah Winfrey surprised a high school principal in New Jersey that is making a huge difference in his community.
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| US: Flynn described efforts to interfere with cooperation Posted: 17 May 2019 03:28 AM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn told the special counsel's office that people connected to the Trump administration and Congress sought to influence his cooperation with the Russia investigation, and he provided a voicemail recording of one such communication, prosecutors said in a court filing made public Thursday.
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| Biden ahead of Trump by double digits in key state of Pennsylvania, poll finds Posted: 16 May 2019 07:47 PM PDT  "The economy isn't giving President Donald Trump an edge in an early read of the very key Keystone State," said polling analyst Mary Snow.
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| Death Match: Russia's New Su-35 Fighter vs.America's F-15, F-16 and More Posted: 17 May 2019 08:30 PM PDT  The U.S. Air Force does not use the F-16 primarily as an air superiority fighter—the air-to-air mission is secondary—the AESA is needed to keep the venerable jet relevant. With an AESA, the F-16 could probably hold its own against the Su-35 at longer ranges—but it would still be a challenge.Russia's Su-35 fighter certainly has western defense outlets buzzing--and for good reason.Moscow, despite heavy sanctions and an economy that has certainly seen better days, keeps pumping out new combat systems one after another--items like new tanks, submarines, nuclear weapons platforms and more.(This first appeared several years ago.)While many were indeed designed and planned for ahead of the imposition of sanctions, Russia is clearly making a big effort to modernize its armed forces, especially its air force, and moving past older Soviet platforms. The Su-35 is a good example of such efforts.So how would the Su-35 do against America's best planes? How would it fare against an American air force that is clearly the best in the world. How would, for example, the Su-35 do in a combat situation against Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter? How would Russia's new plane do against older aircraft like the F-15 or say F-16?Such scenarios matter--and not just in the context of a possible NATO/Russia or Middle East situation, but now that Russia is set to deliver the Su-35 to China, such comparisons matter even more. There are many places where all of these lethal aircraft will overlap, making such comparisons even more timely.
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| RPT-Investors renew calls for Deutsche Bank to trim investment bank Posted: 16 May 2019 10:41 PM PDT ![RPT-Investors renew calls for Deutsche Bank to trim investment bank]( "RPT-Investors renew calls for Deutsche Bank to trim investment bank") Deutsche Bank investors are renewing calls for it to scale back its investment bank division ahead of what promises to be a challenging annual shareholder meeting next week. The future of Deutsche Bank's investment banking operations has returned to the fore after the collapse of merger talks with smaller rival Commerzbank. "Without cuts in investment banking, we believe it will not be possible to achieve targets on returns," said portfolio manager Alexandra Annecke, who is due to address the meeting.
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| 2020 candidate Seth Moulton: 'I'm proud to say I'm a capitalist' Posted: 17 May 2019 09:04 AM PDT  Sep. Seth Moulton talks to the Yahoo News "Skullduggery" podcast about how he plans to take on President Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
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| The V-8 Engine Has No Future at Genesis Posted: 17 May 2019 11:39 AM PDT  The next-generation G80 sedan will go no higher than a V-6, and the G90's Tau V-8 will eventually be phased out.
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| Marlen Ochoa-Lopez death: 3 charged in brutal murder of pregnant Chicago woman denied bond Posted: 17 May 2019 11:06 AM PDT  A mother and daughter accused of murdering 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and the mother's boyfriend, who is accused of concealing the murder were all denied bond Friday.
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| 10 deals you don’t want to miss on Saturday: AirPods 2, $35 Fire TV Stick 4K, $10 Philips Hue bulbs, more Posted: 18 May 2019 04:28 AM PDT ![10 deals you don't want to miss on Saturday: AirPods 2, $35 Fire TV Stick 4K, $10 Philips Hue bulbs, more]( "10 deals you don't want to miss on Saturday: AirPods 2, $35 Fire TV Stick 4K, $10 Philips Hue bulbs, more") We've got another great weekend edition of our daily deals roundups for you, because great deals never take a day off! Highlights include a rare opportunity to save $20 on Apple AirPods 2 (order now to lock in the discount and they'll ship soon, likely within a few weeks), the Fire TV Stick 4K for $35 instead of $50 and the Fire TV Stick for $25 instead of $40 (Prime members only), all-time low prices for the Apple Watch Series 3 starting at $199, all-time low prices on iPads starting at $249, just $11.50 for a SanDisk 64GB microSD card (other sizes on sale too!), Philips Hue white LED bulbs for $10 a piece when you buy a 4-pack, Alexa and Google enabled WiFi smart plugs for $7.25 each when you buy a 4-pack, and more. See all of today's top deals below.
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| Once again, Iraq caught up in tensions between US and Iran Posted: 18 May 2019 07:28 AM PDT  BAGHDAD (AP) — When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down with Iraqi officials in Baghdad last week as tensions mounted between America and Iran, he delivered a nuanced message: If you're not going to stand with us, stand aside.
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| Pennsylvania is a target for both Trump and Biden. But what do voters want? Posted: 17 May 2019 04:30 AM PDT  The News Journal spoke to more than 40 voters in Pennsylvania counties where Trump won more votes than recent Republicans.
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| 1999 Honda Prelude Type SH in Photos Posted: 17 May 2019 06:08 AM PDT |
| U.S. oil drillers cut rigs for second straight week -Baker Hughes Posted: 17 May 2019 10:02 AM PDT ![U.S. oil drillers cut rigs for second straight week -Baker Hughes]( "U.S. oil drillers cut rigs for second straight week -Baker Hughes") U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for the second week in a row, with the rig count at its lowest since March 2018, as some drillers follow through on plans to cut spending. Drillers cut three oil rigs in the week to May 17, bringing the total count down to 802, below the 844 units operating a year ago, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday. Major oil companies, like Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, however, are boosting their presence, particularly in the Permian, the largest U.S. shale oil field.
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| US approves missile sales to S.Korea, Japan Posted: 17 May 2019 01:58 PM PDT  The United States said Friday it had approved more than $600 million in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea. The State Department said it had approved 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of $313.9 million. It separately gave the green light to sell 160 anti-air AMRAAM missiles and related guidance equipment to Japan for $317 million.
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| Hit The Open Road With This Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Posted: 17 May 2019 05:31 AM PDT  Harley-Davidson is arguably the most famed motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with its reputation acknowledged even by those who know nothing of bikes or American culture. If that's you, this highly specified 2017 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide might be your two-wheeled ticket. Finished in jet black and looking great after a professional detail, the American Motorcycle Trading Company humbly present this 2017 CVO Street Glide.
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| Ram Recalls Pickup Trucks Due to Risk of Tailgate Opening Posted: 17 May 2019 09:42 AM PDT  Certain 2015 to 2018 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks are being recalled because of concerns that the tailgate may open. If the vehicle is in transit, there is a risk that cargo could tumbl...
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| Best Tech Deals in May 2019 Posted: 17 May 2019 10:42 AM PDT  Amazon Deals | Walmart Deals | Apple Deals | TV Deals | Gaming Deals | Laptop DealsMemorial Day sales are on the horizon which is great news if you're bargain hunting for the latest gadgets. Big retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are already discounting everything from smart home devices to game consoles. And with the imminent arrival of Amazon Prime Day 2019, soon we'll be gathering the best Amazon Prime Day deals. In the meantime, here are some of the best tech deals we're seeing right now. Looking for a kid-friendly tablet or two for your upcoming family vacation? When you preorder the All-New Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet for $99.99, you'll get a free pair of Toy Story Headphones (a $22 value). Even better, you can preorder All-New Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet (2-Pack) for $149.95. Priced at $99.99 apiece, this bundle saves you $50 off the price of buying them separately. The new Fire 7 Kids Edition tablet sports a case that twice as rugged as the previous model. What's more, it features a built-in kickstand. If you're shopping for an affordable GPS running watch, Amazon has the Garmin Forerunner 35 on sale for $119.99 ($50 off). With built-in GPS and 24/7 heart rate monitoring, this watch helps you track and meet your daily health and fitness goals. Other noteworthy deals include: Amazon Hardware DealsAmazon is currently offering many of its proprietary devices at discounted pricing. * All-New Fire 7 Tablet w/ $10 Appstore Credit for $49.99 ($10 off) [NEW] * All-New Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet w/ Toy Story Headphones for $99.99 ($22 off, preorder) [NEW] * All-New Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet (2-Pack) for $149.95 ($50 off, preorder) [NEW * Echo Connect for $24.49 ($11 off) * Fire TV Stick for $24.99 ($15 off, Prime Members Only) * Fire TV Stick 4K for $34.99 ($15 off, Prime Members Only) * Echo Input for $19.99 ($15 off) * Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Smart Speaker (3-Pack) for $70 ($80 off) * Echo Spot Smart Alarm Clock (2-Pack) for $219.98 ($40 off) * Echo Dot Kids Edition + Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for $149.98 ($50 off) * Echo Dot Kids Edition + Fire 7 Kids Edition for $129.98 ($40 off) * Ring Video Doorbell 2 w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $199 ($49 off) * Ring Spotlight Wireless Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $199 ($49 off) * Ring Spotlight Wired Cam Wired w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $199 ($50 off) * Ring Stick-Up Wireless Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $179.99 ($50 off) * Ring Stick-Up Wired Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $179.99 ($50 off) * Ring Floodlight Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $249 ($50 off) * Ring Smart Lighting Spotlights (2-pack) for $99.99 ($30 off) Top Tech Deals Right Now * Kenmore Smart Air Conditioner (12,000 BTUs) for $409.99 ($80 off) [NEW] * Honeywell Portable Air Conditioner (10,000 BTUs) for $349 ($101 off) [NEW] * Apple Smart Battery Case for $102 ($27 off) * Amazon Echo Show w/ Echo Dot and Smart Bulb Bundle for $229.99 ($65 off) * Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 Laptop for $579.99 ($70 off) * Apple AirPods 2nd Gen (Back-order) for $139.99 ($19 off) * Apple iPad 9.7-inch 128GB for $329 ($100 off) * Apple iPad Air 2019 (Wi-Fi, 64GB) for $479 ($20 off) * Apple 9.7-inch iPad for $249 ($81 off) * Microsoft Surface Go for $399 ($100 off) * Acer Aspire 3 Laptop for $400 ($99 off) TV Deals * LG 65-inch 4K UHD Smart TV for $599.99 ($600 off) [NEW] * Toshiba 55-inch 4K UHD Smart TV for $299.99 ($150 off) [NEW] * Vizio 55-inch P-Series 4K HDR Smart TV for $598 ($200 off) * Vizio 65-inch M-Series 4K HDR Smart TV for $649.99 ($350 off) * Sharp 65-inch 4K Smart TV for $449.99 ($250 off) * Sony 70-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV for $1,098 ($500 off) * TCL 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV for $329.99 ($270 off) * Samsung 49-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $797.99 ($202 off) * Samsung 55-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $1,098 ($100 off) Tech Under $50 * SansDisk 64GB Ultra USB Flash Drive for $9.99 ($5 off via coupon, "513SAZ12") * Spotify Premium Membership for $0.99 ($27 off, ends 6/30) * Echo Connect for $24.49 ($11 off) * Echo Input for $19.99 ($15 off) * Logitech M705 Marathon Wireless Mouse for $24.99 ($25 off) * Redragon K552 LED Gaming Keyboard for $34.99 ($25 off) * Anker 7-in-1 USB C Hub for $40 ($30 off) Smartwatch Deals * Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 42mm, Renewed) for $209 ($100 off) * Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 38mm) for $199 ($80 off) * Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro w/ $125 GC for $199.99 ($125 off) * Garmin Forerunner 935 for $409 ($91 off) * Garmin Fenix 5S Plus for $599.99 ($200 off) also at Best Buy * Garmin Fenix 5X Plus for $649.99 ($150 off) also at Best Buy * Garmin Fenix 5 for $349.99 ($150 off) also at Best Buy Phones * Google Pixel 3 64GB (Clearly White) for $679.99 ($119 off) * Google Pixel 3 XL 64GB for $699 ($200 off) * Google Pixel 3 XL 64GB Unlocked (Just Black) for $720 ($179 off) * Google Pixel 3 XL 128GB Unlocked for $779 ($221 off) * Apple iPhone SE Unlocked for $249 ($100 off) * Samsung Galaxy S9 Unlocked 64GB for $478.99 ($121 off) * Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Unlocked 128GB for $689 ($311 off) Cameras * Arlo Smart Wi-fi Baby Monitor Camera for $131 ($69 off) [PRICE DROP] * Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Camera for $498 ($150 off) * Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera w /15-45mm Lens for $599 ($300 off) * Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera w/ 18-55mm VR Lens for $396.95 ($103 off) * Canon PowerShot SX530 Digital Camera for $229 ($150 off) Games and Consoles * Spyro Crash Remastered Bundle for PS4 for $34.99 ($25 off) [NEW] * MS Xbox One X 1TB Console for $367.95 ($131 off) [NEW] * Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch for $50 ($10 off) * MS Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle for $214 ($86 off) * Mortal Kombat 11 for Xbox One or (Switch) for $50 ($10 off) * Marvel's Spider-Man for PS4 for $35 ($25 off) also at Amazon * Call of Duty: Black Ops for PS4 for $29.99 ($25 off) * WWE 2K19 Deluxe Edition for $39.99 ($50 off) * Kingdom Hearts 3 for PS4 for $29.99 ($30 off) * Kingdom Heart 3 for Xbox One for $29.99 ($30 off) * Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4 for $34.99 ($25 off)
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| U.S.-China Feud Widens, Europe Populists Buoyant Posted: 18 May 2019 12:00 AM PDT  U.S.-China relations hit a new low this week after President Donald Trump's administration slapped new tariffs on imports from China and targeted its biggest technology company, Huawei Technologies. Elsewhere, residents in the Iranian capital, Tehran, worry more about feeding their families than the rumors of war with the U.S., and populists hoped to score unprecedented gains in next week's elections to the European Parliament.Read about those topics and more in this edition of Weekend Reads, and click here for some of Bloomberg's most compelling political images from the past seven days. China Vows 'People's War' as Trade Fight Takes Nationalist TurnAs China's state media ratchets up the rhetoric in the deepening trade dispute with the U.S., Peter Coy reports on how Trump's tariffs on China will place a heavier burden on America's poor and working class.
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