| The Latest: Democrats wonder if Biden out of step with party Posted: 31 Mar 2019 04:02 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on former Vice President Joe Biden (all times local):
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| Democrats Begin Subpoena Process for Mueller Report, Trump Aides Posted: 01 Apr 2019 08:25 AM PDT  The House Judiciary Committee plans to hold votes on Wednesday to authorize the subpoenas, the panel said Monday in a news release. Three days earlier, Attorney General William Barr said he would provide Congress with a redacted version of Mueller's report on his investigation into Trump and Russian election meddling by mid-April. "Congress requires the full and complete Special Counsel report, without redactions, as well as access to the underlying evidence," Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in an emailed statement Monday.
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| UK PM May would have to look closely at customs union if parliament votes for it: minister Posted: 31 Mar 2019 03:06 AM PDT ![UK PM May would have to look closely at customs union if parliament votes for it: minister]( "UK PM May would have to look closely at customs union if parliament votes for it: minister") British Prime Minister Theresa May would have to look closely at pursuing a customs union with the European Union if parliament votes for it, justice minister David Gauke said on Sunday. In a first round, the idea of seeking a customs union with the European Union was one of the most popular options, although it fell just short of a majority. Asked by BBC TV whether May would have to go back to the EU and negotiate for a customs union if parliament voted for it, Gauke said: "I think she would need to look very closely at that." "If parliament is voting overwhelmingly against leaving the European Union without a deal but is voting in favor of a softer Brexit, then I don't think it is sustainable to say we will ignore parliament's position and leave without a deal." Gauke also said May's three-times defeated deal was not dead, and was still one of the options open to lawmakers.
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| Maxine Waters: Prosecutors Did ‘Correct Thing’ Dropping Smollett Charges Posted: 01 Apr 2019 02:18 PM PDT  Representative Maxine Waters (D., Calif.) claimed over the weekend that Cook County prosecutors did the "correct thing" by dropping the charges pending against Empire actor Jussie Smollett after a grand jury indicted him for staging a hate crime."It's the correct thing that the charges were dropped," Waters told Extra in a Sunday interview. "First of all, we probably will never know all of the details. We've heard a lot of information. No one was hurt — that is, physically, killed, shot — he never committed a crime before, he forfeited the bail, and it's this kind of situation where they close the case all over the country every day. I have learned this isn't unusual."Cook County state's attorney Kimberly Foxx announced Tuesday that she had dropped disorderly-conduct charges against Smollett due to his history of community service and the nature of the crime."After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett's volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," a statement from Foxx's office said.The charges were dropped weeks after an emotional press conference in which Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson laid out ample evidence that Smollett had diverted police resources by staging a hate crime against himself in order to advance his career."Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," Johnson said at a February press conference announcing the charges against Smollett. "This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn't earn, and certainly didn't deserve. . . . The stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary."Johnson's characterization of Smollett's actions was based on a 23-day investigation that produced evidence that the actor paid two friends to attack him. Police obtained surveillance footage of the two men, one of whom acted on Empire with Smollett, purchasing the items used in the staged assault, as well as a check made out to the two men for their services.Despite the version of events presented by Johnson based on the evidence gathered by officers, Waters hopes Smollett goes on to future success in show business.Smollett garnered "a lot of attention because of who he is — he's an extremely talented man who people have come to love because he is on TV. I'm hopeful that he will go on with his career and be successful," she said.The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, which had called for a federal investigation into Foxx's handling of the Smollett case, protested outside her office on Monday afternoon.> HAPPENING NOW: Chicago Fraternal Order of Police protesting outside @SAKimFoxx's office as supporters defend her. pic.twitter.com/IEdi9mBizn> > -- Eric Cox (@EricCoxTV) April 1, 2019Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, Tina Tchen, contacted Foxx days after Smollett filed the allegedly false report on behalf of Smollett's relatives to ask that she request that the probe be handed over to the FBI to avoid media leaks. Foxx told Tchen that she complied with the requests in texts and emails obtained by CWBChicago.Foxx said Friday that she is open to an outside investigation into her handling of the case.
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| 3.1 magnitude earthquake shakes San Fernando Valley Posted: 31 Mar 2019 05:23 PM PDT  A 3.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Northridge area at 3:52 a.m., according to USGS.
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| James Comey hints at 2020 presidential run in arguably the worst political April Fool’s prank yet Posted: 01 Apr 2019 02:56 PM PDT  April Fool's Day is possibly the worst time to believe anything you read on the Internet. Take, for example, former FBI Director James Comey a message he sent to his more than one million followers on Twitter. The former FBI director posted a photo to his account showing him standing with his back towards the camera on an open road, looking into the distance with his hands in his pockets and his feet planted over a yellow lane separating each side of the street. "I'm in," he wrote. "We need someone in the middle."The former official — who Donald Trump forced out of the FBI in a controversial move that sparked public outcry — then added the hashtag 2020, leading some to believe he was set to make a bold announcement about a political bid for the White House. Mr Comey has no reported intention of actually campaigning to become the next president of the United States, however. And by the sound of his tweet's response, sitting out of the race is likely a smart decision on his part. Hours after the original picture was posted to his account, Mr Comey tweeted, "But could you imagine a president who used this website to make dad jokes rather than to hurl insults?"> I'm in. We need someone in the middle. 2020 pic.twitter.com/IGt69bEQz1> > — James Comey (@Comey) > > April 1, 2019"Happy AprilFools," he continued, adding the hashtag VoteDem2020. "April Fools jokes are supposed to be funny, Mr Comey," one user wrote. Another added: "Without a doubt, this is the worst thing that Comey has ever done." Twitter users continued railing against Mr Comey throughout the day, pointing to a 2016 press conference in which he divulged details about the FBI's findings into Hillary Clinton's emails as alleged evidence of his political bias. Mr Comey, who detailed his career in the FBI and what it was like being removed by Mr Trump in the recent book A High Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership, has been criticised for his handling of the probe by lawmakers and Americans on both sides of the aisle.
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| A Stealthy F-15X: A Good Idea or a Waste of Time for the Air Force? Posted: 31 Mar 2019 11:00 AM PDT  We have a look.
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| Mexico to issue limited humanitarian visas to migrants Posted: 31 Mar 2019 05:06 PM PDT  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican immigration officials plan to issue humanitarian visas on a "limited basis" starting Monday to some of the roughly 2,500 Central American and Caribbean migrants gathered in the southern state of Chiapas.
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| Singapore Isn’t Waiting for Facebook to Crack Down on Fake News Posted: 01 Apr 2019 04:50 AM PDT  "There are a lot of falsehoods being propagated," Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam told reporters on Monday. The government's move comes just days after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg called for new global regulations for everything from hate speech online to privacy and data protection. While Facebook asked for regulators around the world to agree on standards for online content, governments like Singapore see the issue as serious enough that they need to take more immediate action.
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| UPDATE 11-Erdogan appears to concede Istanbul defeat after Ankara loss Posted: 30 Mar 2019 09:19 PM PDT ![UPDATE 11-Erdogan appears to concede Istanbul defeat after Ankara loss]( "UPDATE 11-Erdogan appears to concede Istanbul defeat after Ankara loss") Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan suffered a severe setback on Sunday as his ruling AK Party lost control of the capital Ankara for the first time in a local election and he appeared to concede defeat in the country's largest city, Istanbul. Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since coming to power 16 years ago and ruled his country with an ever tighter grip, campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of Sunday's vote, which he described as a "matter of survival" for Turkey.
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| Can Biden escape 'creepy Uncle Joe'? Posted: 01 Apr 2019 03:36 PM PDT  From Joe Biden's alleged 'slow kiss' to human feces on Denali, here's today's top news.
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| 20 Interior Styling Secrets from AD Stylists Posted: 01 Apr 2019 01:47 PM PDT |
| Brazil president visits Western Wall with Netanyahu in first Posted: 01 Apr 2019 08:39 AM PDT  Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro visited the Western Wall alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, becoming the first head of state to do so with an Israeli premier. The visit came after Bolsonaro, sworn in as Brazil's president on January 1, arrived for a three-day trip to Israel on Sunday. The site, one of the holiest in Judaism, is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.
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| UPDATE 2-Boeing to submit 737 MAX software upgrade 'in the coming weeks' Posted: 01 Apr 2019 01:51 PM PDT ![UPDATE 2-Boeing to submit 737 MAX software upgrade 'in the coming weeks']( "UPDATE 2-Boeing to submit 737 MAX software upgrade 'in the coming weeks'") WASHINGTON/SEATTLE, April 1 (Reuters) - Boeing Co plans to submit a proposed software enhancement package for the grounded 737 MAX in "the coming weeks" after the company had previously said it planned to deliver the fix for government approval by last week. The company on Monday confirmed a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration that it would submit the upgrade later than previously announced. "We are working to demonstrate that we have identified and appropriately addressed all certification requirements and will be submitting for FAA review once completed in the coming weeks," Boeing said in a statement.
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| Woman, 61, gives birth to own granddaughter Posted: 31 Mar 2019 04:36 PM PDT  A woman from Nebraska has given birth to her own granddaughter, after acting as a surrogate mother for her son gay son and his husband.When Matthew Eledge and Elliot Dougherty said they wanted to have a child to expand their family, Mr Eledge's 61-year-old mother offered to be involved in a very special way,"There was no moment of hesitation. It was natural instinct." Ms Eledge told KETV-News. After lengthy medical checks, doctors at Omaha's University of Nebraska Medical Centre gave the go-ahead. A foetus was created using in vitro fertilistion, using Mr Eledge's sperm and eggs from Mr Dougherty's sister, Lea Yribe.Last week, several weeks early, Ms Eledge gave birth to a baby weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces. The couple have named her Uma Louise."When you are gay and married and want to have a kid, you go into it with knowledge that you are going to have to create a family in a special way," said Mr Eledge. "There are creative, unique ways to build a family."He added: "We are thankful with how the whole process worked. We are really grateful that both Uma and her grandma are here, happy and healthy."The entire team from doctors to nurses to lab techs showed a beautiful balance of professionalism and compassion. For the time being, we're just going to relax and enjoy this moment."The birth was captured in a series of stunning images by Ariel Panowicz, who posted several to her Instagram account."Little tiny Uma Louise has ventured into this world and let me tell you, she is simply perfect," she wrote in one caption."Carried and birthed by her 61-year old Grandmother, and created by her two dads and loving aunt, Uma is surrounded by an immense amount of love." She added: "Being a part of today was amazing. Cele, you are a warrior."
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| Man in 'MAGA' hat slashes man's hand with sword in Calif. Posted: 01 Apr 2019 02:07 PM PDT ![Man in 'MAGA' hat slashes man's hand with sword in Calif.]( "Man in 'MAGA' hat slashes man's hand with sword in Calif.") SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco police were searching Monday for a man who wore a red "Make America Great Again" hat and used a sword to slash another man's hand after an argument outside a roller-skating rink.
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| Parliament Fails to Back Any Plan B Options: Brexit Update Posted: 01 Apr 2019 02:25 PM PDT  The government says the legal default will be for the U.K. to leave the European Union in 11 days. Theresa May is still aiming to get her unpopular deal through Parliament and will call a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the next steps. Conservative Nick Boles, who led the move for a Norway Plus plan, made an emotional announcement in the Commons saying he's resigning from May's party.
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| Comic, Billionaire, Comeback Queen Vie in Ukraine Election Posted: 31 Mar 2019 05:45 AM PDT  Five years after a violent revolution demanding political re-alignment with Europe and an end to post-communist corruption, voters aren't happy. Anti-establishment fervor has made Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old TV comic with no political experience, the front-runner. Who leads Ukraine is of global significance since the country of 42 million people, locked between Russia and the European Union, became a geopolitical battleground.
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| Station Wagons 2019-2020: The Best and the Rest Posted: 01 Apr 2019 02:05 PM PDT |
| Applebee's brings back $1 Strawberry Dollarita for April, plus other deals and freebies Posted: 01 Apr 2019 04:11 PM PDT  April brings big freebie and deal days including National Burrito Day, National Beer Day, Tax Day and National Pretzel Day.
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| REPORT: Trump Considers Creating ‘Immigration Czar’ Post to Address Border Crisis Posted: 01 Apr 2019 12:49 PM PDT  The Trump administration is considering creating a new "immigration czar" position to manage the recent influx of illegal immigrants at the southern border, the Associated Press reported Monday.Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach and former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli are reportedly under consideration to fill the new position, which would either be housed in the Department of Homeland Security or the White House.The report comes three days after Trump threatened in a series of tweets to shut down "the Border, or large sections of the Border," if Mexican authorities fail to "immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug (sic) our Southern Border."> The DEMOCRATS have given us the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the World. Mexico has the strongest, & they make more than $100 Billion a year on the U.S. Therefore, CONGRESS MUST CHANGE OUR WEAK IMMIGRATION LAWS NOW, & Mexico must stop illegals from entering the U.S….> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019> ….through their country and our Southern Border. Mexico has for many years made a fortune off of the U.S., far greater than Border Costs. If Mexico doesn't immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING…..> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019> ….the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and "talk." Besides, we lose so much money with them, especially when you add in drug trafficking etc.), that the Border closing would be a good thing!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, in a Sunday tweet thread of her own, echoed Trump's pronouncements, calling lawmakers' refusal to modify immigration law in the face of an influx of migrant families "catastrophic."> The security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border is getting worse every day. I again ask Congress to act ASAP to give @DHSgov the authorities we need to protect children from the terrible journey, discourage illegal immigration, and secure our border.> > -- Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) March 31, 2019> I will say it again & again & again…failure to act is putting lives at risk—especially children who are exploited, pawned & in some cases 'recycled' by smugglers & traffickers. Bad guys know our outdated laws & they're using/re-using children as a 'free ticket' into America.> > -- Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) March 31, 2019> Without a legal fix and additional resources, there will be no end to the crisis. Congress: @DHSgov is doing its job; ready to do yours?> > -- Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) March 31, 2019Nielsen has repeatedly called on Congress to adapt immigration law to the unique challenge posed by the arrival of massive numbers of families from Central America.According to DHS data released last month, the number of family units arriving at the border has increased 338 percent since the previous fiscal year while the number of unaccompanied minors has risen by 58 percent.Because these migrants hail from non-contiguous countries, immigration authorities are prohibited from returning them to their countries of origins and instead must shelter them until they can be seen by an immigration judge. This legal requirement has placed immense pressure on DHS facilities and has forced the agency to release hundreds of migrants who arrived at the border in recent weeks to the care of private charities.
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| UPDATE 2-FAA says glitch fixed, U.S. airlines back up Posted: 01 Apr 2019 04:43 AM PDT ![UPDATE 2-FAA says glitch fixed, U.S. airlines back up]( "UPDATE 2-FAA says glitch fixed, U.S. airlines back up") The Federal Aviation Administration said the problem was caused by the Aerodata airplane planning weight and balance program. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines reported system-wide outages, with United Airlines saying it was unable to create paperwork for some time. "A brief third-party technology issue that prevented some Delta Connection flights from being dispatched on time this morning has been resolved," Delta said.
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| Holocaust survivor, 90, makes first visit to US Holocaust Memorial Museum with Triangle students Posted: 31 Mar 2019 05:44 PM PDT  A Holocaust survivor living in the Triangle is preparing for a very emotional trip to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.
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| Joe Biden denies kissing activist without consent but admits 'I may not recall these moments the same way' Posted: 31 Mar 2019 11:10 AM PDT  Former vice president Joe Biden – a man who would start as favourite among Democratic presidential candidates – has denied kissing a political activist without her consent, an accusation that could create problems for him if he enters the 2020 race.Two days after Lucy Flores, a Democratic activist and elected politician from Nevada, claimed Mr Biden had kissed her on the head at an event in 2014 and made her feel uncomfortable, he said he did not believe he had ever once "acted inappropriately".Yet, he also admitted his memory may be different to that of others. "I may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear," he said in a statement on Sunday morning. "But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will."Mr Biden, 76, has said he has "95 per cent" decided he will contest for the Democratic presidential nomination for 2020, and some reports suggest he will formally announce some time in April. If he does run, it would be his third attempt.An average of polls collated by Real Clear Politics puts Mr Biden a clear eight points ahead of his nearest Democratic rival, Bernie Sanders, who in turn is eleven points clear of Kamala Harris. Beto O'Rourke is in fourth position, and Elizabeth Warren is in fifth.But while Mr Biden tops such polls, commentators have pointed out that after almost four decades in political life, the man who was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and has long seen himself as a champion of the working class, has considerable baggage.Ms Flores, a member of the Nevada state assembly and an activist with Mr Sanders' Our Revolution group, said the vice president had "inhaled" her hair and kissed the back of her head just before she went on stage. The event was being held for him to endorse her Democratic candidacy. In an article published in The Cut, Ms Flores said: "I was mortified. I thought to myself, 'I didn't wash my hair today and the vice-president of the United States is smelling it. And also, what in the actual f***? Why is the vice-president of the United States smelling my hair?"> Statement from @JoeBiden this morning. pic.twitter.com/EbCchX2npU> > — Bill Russo (@BillR) > > March 31, 2019This is not the first time Mr Biden faced criticism over seminally awkward or inappropriate interactions with women in public.In 2015, the Washington Post's comedy writer Alexandra Petri wrote an article titled "What are we going to do about Creepy Uncle Joe Biden?". The name has stuck.On Sunday morning, White House advisor Kellyanne Conway, took an opportunity to attack Mr Biden. In an interview on Fox News, Ms Conway said Ms Flores, was "very bold to come forward" against someone in her own political party and wondered why Mr Biden had not apologised to her.Mr Biden also faces questions about his age and his questionable record on race relations.While commentators say some African Americans – especially older ones – could back his candidacy because of the support the provided to Barack Obama's presidency, they also point to his support of the controversial 1994 crime bill that discriminated against minority communities, and his disrespectful questioning of Anita Hill when she testified against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.In recent weeks, Mr Biden met with Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost her bid to win the governorship of Georgia last year. Reports have suggested, Mr Biden's advisors have been considering the option of him announcing with a declared running mate, and that they would love Ms Abrams, an African American and a rising star within the party, to be on the ticket with him.
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| Japan to unveil new era name ahead of abdication Posted: 31 Mar 2019 01:33 PM PDT  With one month to go until the historic abdication of Emperor Akihito, Japan will Monday unveil the name of the new era that will be ushered in when his son ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne. It may appear trivial to outsiders, but the announcement of a new era name is a massive event in Japan that will be marked with special newspaper editions, calligraphy shows and public festivities. Although the Gregorian calendar is widely used in the world's third-largest economy, Japan is the only country still using Chinese-style imperial calendars for private and public documents as well as computer records.
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| Support for Rival Soft Brexit Plan Builds in U.K. Parliament Posted: 01 Apr 2019 09:58 AM PDT  The proposal, which includes a bolted-on customs union arrangement, is building up steam after the main opposition Labour Party and the Scottish National Party backed it. Prime Minister Theresa May has set herself against staying in the EU's single market and a customs union, because to do so would wreck two key aims of the pro-Brexit campaign: to end unlimited immigration from the EU and to set the U.K. free of EU tariffs to strike trade deals around the world. The House of Commons is debating four rival options to May's three-times rejected Brexit deal and politicians will vote on them on Monday evening.
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| Happy 15th birthday to Gmail, which is about to get a great feature we’ve been waiting for Posted: 01 Apr 2019 04:19 AM PDT  It's hard to believe that Gmail celebrates its 15th birthday today, debuting as it did on April 1 way back in 2004 -- back when, given the date, many people thought Google was pulling our leg by announcing a free email service on this day of all days. "Google Gets the Message, Launches Gmail," the press release from the time declared. "Search is Number Two Online Activity -- Email is Number One; 'Heck, Yeah,' Say Google Founders".Certainly, the world looks a lot different now than it did then. Gmail's launch, for example, came three years before the iPhone was a thing and a couple of years before the launch of Twitter. Today, Gmail is the premiere free email service, a centerpiece of the workday for countless professionals. To be sure, the search giant is still tweaking things, finding opportunities to make updates that the company hopes will keep improving the user experience such as this news we told you about just a few days ago. The short version: Google is going to start making emails look and feel more like webpage experiences with dynamic, interactive content.Meanwhile, it seems that Google finally, at the ripe old age of 15, is releasing a feature that users have wanted for quite a while now. We first told you back in July that Google is apparently close to adding an official scheduler to Gmail, a revelation that came via a few lines of code found in a teardown of the then-latest Gmail app APK.As we saw yesterday from a look at a few lines of code from the last Gmail app APK, the scheduler will work exactly as we had hoped. That insight came thanks to a 9to5Google report, which found that the official scheduler will allow users to send a scheduled email as soon as two minutes into the future or to delay it to anytime under "50 years from now." The user interface will include an option to select your date and time, as well as a way to confirm your choice once the message is finished.Additionally, the feature will also let you cancel the delayed message at any time, if you want, before it's sent. At that point, the email will return to "draft" status. Google confirmed the news on Monday, and the new feature is already beginning to roll out.
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| FAA: Boeing 737 Max upgrades expected within weeks – but 'time is needed' for a 'rigorous' review Posted: 01 Apr 2019 03:02 PM PDT  The FAA expects to receive the final package for Boeing's software improvements on the 737 Max aircraft in 'coming weeks,' the agency said Monday.
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| China Bans Fentanyl, Bowing to U.S. Pressure Posted: 01 Apr 2019 09:19 AM PDT  Chinese officials on Monday announced an immediate ban on the production and distribution of all "fentanyl-related substances," fulfilling a promise that President Xi Jingping made to President Trump last year following a years-long Department of Justice pressure campaign.Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, officials representing three government agencies announced that they would expand the existing ban on some 25 fentanyl variants to all forms of the drug.Following the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires in December, Trump drew attention to China's role in profiting from the sale of fentanyl, which claims tens of thousands of American lives every year. U.S. officials announced after the summit that Xi had promised Trump China would crack down on fentanyl production as part of negotiations that led to a halt in the escalating trade war between the two countries.> It is outrageous that Poisonous Synthetic Heroin Fentanyl comes pouring into the U.S. Postal System from China. We can, and must, END THIS NOW! The Senate should pass the STOP ACT – and firmly STOP this poison from killing our children and destroying our country. No more delay!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2018U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who leads the ongoing trade negotiations with Beijing, told the Senate last month that he would like China's commitment to curtailing opioid production codified in any final agreement."It may very well be something that we end up writing into this agreement," Lighthizer told lawmakers in February. "But it clearly is something the president views himself as having a commitment on. And that we are monitoring to see in fact if there are changes."While Chinese officials on Monday acknowledged the importance of curtailing fentanyl production, they maintained that China should not be blamed for the devastation wrought by the opioid crisis in the U.S."We believe that the United States is the main cause of the problem of the abuse of fentanyl in the United States," Liu Yuejin, vice commissioner of China's National Narcotics Control Commission, said at the press conference.While the ban officially went into effect Monday, it remains unclear whether the government will prioritize its enforcement across the thousands of far-flung Chinese chemical factories capable of producing the valuable narcotic.
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| Conversion is not your mission, pope tells Catholics in Morocco Posted: 31 Mar 2019 08:05 AM PDT  Morocco's 23,000 Roman Catholics - most of them French and other European expatriates and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa - make up less than one percent of the population of 35 million. Conservative Catholics have criticized the pope's opposition to organized or aggressive recruiting of potential converts.
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| This Week: Durable goods, Constellation Brands results, jobs Posted: 31 Mar 2019 10:05 PM PDT  A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week:
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| After Apple terminates AirPower project, here are some wireless charging pad alternatives Posted: 01 Apr 2019 08:28 AM PDT  Two years since Apple's wireless charging pad, the AirPower, was announced, the project was officially abandoned due to excessive heating, the brand confirmed last week; for those of you who were looking forward to the now-cancelled launch, here are five product substitutions you can use for your iPhone (or any other Qi-compatible device.)
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| Joe Biden deflects claims by Lucy Flores: 'Never did I believe I acted inappropriately' Posted: 31 Mar 2019 05:16 PM PDT  Former vice president Joe Biden says he doesn't believe he acted inappropriately with Lucy Flores but promised to 'listen respectfully' to such claims.
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| Japan chooses new imperial era of 'Reiwa' from Japanese rather than Chinese source for first time Posted: 31 Mar 2019 09:06 PM PDT  The name of Japan's new imperial era unveiled yesterday/MON was selected from Japanese rather than Chinese texts for the first time in more than 1,000 years, hinting at the government's nationalist leanings. Following months of secret discussions, the name of the new era was announced by the Japanese government as Reiwa, which can be translated as "auspicious harmony". The Reiwa era, which will become the 248th era – or "gengo" - in Japanese history, will commence on May 1 when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne, following the abdication of his father Emperor Akihito the previous day. Unusually, the new era name was not selected from traditional Chinese texts, as has been the case since Japan's first gengo began more than 1,300 years ago in 645AD. Instead, Reiwa was taken from a Japanese classic for the first time in the nation's history, with the word originating from 7th century Manyoshu, the country's oldest existing collection of poetry. The abdication of Emperor Akihito will bring to an end the 30-year Heisei era – meaning "achieving peace" - a period likely to be associated with the collapse of the bubble economy as well as the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko are seen on arrival at Nagano Station on March 25, 2019 Credit: The Asahi Shimbun The decision to subvert tradition and use a Japanese rather than Chinese text to mark a new and modern era for Japan appears to tie in with the nationalist leanings of prime minister Shinzo Abe's conservative government. Bilateral tensions with China and regular flare-ups over territorial disputes have become a near-constant backdrop to Mr Abe's tenure in power, while the PM has also regularly voiced his determination to revise the nation's pacifist postwar constitution by 2020. Announcing the new gengo live on television, Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, held up a framed placard with the era name written in two calligraphic black kanji symbols on white paper. Shortly after the announcement, Mr Abe highlighted the positivity of the new name, explaining that it reflected how culture is born and grows when people come together and "care for each other beautifully". He added: "With this selection of a new era name, I renew my commitment to pioneer a new era that will be filled with hope." Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announces the new imperial era, which will begin next month Credit: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP The characters are taken from one particular poem referencing plum blossoms that reads: "It is now the choice month of early spring; the weather is fine, the wind is soft. The plum blossoms open - powder before a mirror; the orchids exhale - fragrance after a sachet." The unveiling of new era name was hotly awaited in Japan, as the Imperial calendar remains widely used on coins and in official documents such as driving licences as well as by newspapers. Reiwa was selected after the government spent months studying proposals from scholars of both Japanese and Chinese literature and history. Suggestions were then discussed by a panel of nine experts, including Sadayuki Sakakibara, former chairman of the Japan Business Federation, novelist Mariko Hayashi and Nobel Prize winning scientist Shinya Yamanaka. While gengo names are traditionally announced after the succession of a new emperor, the announcement was brought forward on this occasion in order to minimise disruption to businesses and computer systems. T-shirts have been manufactured marking the new era Credit: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images Some experts cited concerns relating to potential computer glitches caused by the calendar change, with companies such as Microsoft offering support to customers preparing for the switch. Japan originally imported the imperial calendar system from China and is today the only country in the world that uses a "gengo" era name system. The gengo system is often used alongside the Western calendar in modern-day Japan. A recent Mainichi newspaper survey revealed that around 34 per cent of Japanese use the Imperial calendar in daily life, another 34 per cent use both gengo and the Western calendars and a quarter use mainly the Western system. Sign up for your essential, twice-daily briefing from The Telegraph with our free Front Page newsletter.
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| Facebook removes 'fake' accounts linked to Pakistani military Posted: 01 Apr 2019 06:02 AM PDT  Facebook is removing 103 pages, groups and accounts linked to the media wing of Pakistan's military, the social media giant announced Monday, calling them "fake" accounts created to manipulate people. The statement by Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, shines a rare light on efforts by Pakistan's shadowy military establishment to use social media as a propaganda tool.
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| The most popular Instant Pot is back down to its best price of the year Posted: 01 Apr 2019 04:42 AM PDT ![The most popular Instant Pot is back down to its best price of the year]( "The most popular Instant Pot is back down to its best price of the year") Today is the day you finally get that Instant Pot you've been dreaming of. Amazon just slashed the price of the insanely popular Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker to $68.99. It normally sells for $100, so this is a $31 discount and a fantastic bargain. In fact, it's the lowest price of 2019 so far and within $9 of this model's lowest price of all time. What the heck are you waiting for!?Here's more info from the product page: * 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Cooker--Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute/Browning, Yogurt Maker, Steamer & Warmer * Large, easy to use control panel with 14 built-in Smart Programs, Dual pressure, Automatic keep-warm, and 3 temperatures for saute/browning and slow cook * Delay cooking time up to 24-Hours; Manual setting up to 120 minutes of cook time * UL and ULC certified with 10 proven safety mechanisms; Highly energy efficient and kitchen friendly * Includes 3-ply bottom stainless steel cooking pot, stainless steel steam rack with handle, rice paddle, soup spoon, and measuring cup. Instructions, recipes, and cooking time tables in English, Spanish, Chinese and French
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| Venezuelans Protest Power Cuts That Put Maduro in a Bind Posted: 31 Mar 2019 09:55 PM PDT  Power went out in all of western Zulia state at 9:55 a.m., Willy Casanova, mayor of the city of Maracaibo, said on Twitter. Netblocks.org, which tracks internet disruptions globally, said only 15 percent of the country had internet after the power failure. Weeks of power cuts have increased instability in Venezuela.
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| Ocasio-Cortez joins criticism of Fox News after '3 Mexican countries' on-air gaffe Posted: 01 Apr 2019 08:19 AM PDT ![Ocasio-Cortez joins criticism of Fox News after '3 Mexican countries' on-air gaffe]( "Ocasio-Cortez joins criticism of Fox News after '3 Mexican countries' on-air gaffe") Ocasio-Cortez joined a chorus of social media critics who tore into Fox News an error onscreen that said Trump had cut "aid to 3 Mexican countries."
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| The 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback in Photos Posted: 01 Apr 2019 01:22 PM PDT |
| New York lawmakers pass statewide ban on single-use plastic bags Posted: 31 Mar 2019 08:25 PM PDT  New York's Democrat-controlled Legislature on Sunday passed a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags and expected to approve tolls for driving into the busiest sections of Manhattan starting in 2021 as part of a $175.5 billion state budget agreement worked out with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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| Pope defends decision to reject French cardinal's resignation Posted: 31 Mar 2019 01:37 PM PDT  "I can't accept it because in juridical terms, in classic world jurisprudence, there is the presumption of innocence as long as the case is open, and he has appealed," Francis said. A court in Lyon ruled on March 7 that between July 2014 and June 2015, Barbarin covered up allegations of sexual abuse of boy scouts in the 1980s and early 1990s by a priest who is due to go on trial later this year. Barbarin, 68, the highest-profile cleric to be caught up in the child sex abuse scandal inside the French Church, received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
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| Afghans recruited to fight in Syrian war struggle back home Posted: 31 Mar 2019 06:29 PM PDT  HERAT, Afghanistan (AP) — Too poor to even buy pens and notebooks for school, Mehdi left his home in Afghanistan soon after his 17th birthday and headed to Iran, hoping to make his way to Europe and find work.
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| Biden bids to quell storm over campaign trail kiss Posted: 31 Mar 2019 08:02 AM PDT  Former vice president Joe Biden insisted Sunday he had never acted inappropriately towards women as a growing row about a kiss on the campaign trail cast a shadow over his expected run for the White House. The 76-year-old Biden is the clear favorite to win the Democrat nomination to take on Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election even though he has yet to declare his candidacy.
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| The world’s top Samsung insider just leaked a Galaxy Note 10 feature that’ll blow your mind Posted: 01 Apr 2019 05:51 AM PDT  The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ were disappointing on every level last year, offering users a hardware design that was nearly identical to Samsung's 2017 flagship phone lineup without any compelling new features to look forward to. As a result, estimates suggest it was Samsung's worst-selling Galaxy S phone series since all the way back in 2012. Thankfully, Samsung more than made up for it with the new Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+, a trio of phones that were just released last month. They feature gorgeous new designs, upgraded cameras, and plenty of exciting new features. In other words, they're everything the Galaxy S9 should have been.A fourth new S10 model, the Galaxy S10 5G, is set to launch later this month with an even bigger display than the S10+. It'll also feature a quad-lens camera array on the back instead of a triple-lens setup like the Galaxy S10 and S10+, as well as 5G connectivity. Then at some point later in the month, the Galaxy Fold will go on sale and become the first foldable smartphone available in most markets. But we've already seen all those phones, and eager Samsung fans want to know what's next. While details surrounding the upcoming Galaxy Note 10 are still scarce, there have been a few leaks lately. But the biggest Galaxy Note 10 leak so far was just reported this morning by the world's top Samsung insider, and it's going to blow your mind.Back in February we learned that Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 10 will likely feature a quad-lens camera on the back. Then last month we found out that there will definitely be a 5G version of the Galaxy Note 10, and a rumor just last week said that the phone might feature a bold new design with no physical buttons at all. Those details are all compelling, but Monday morning's Galaxy Note 10 leak blows them all away.Last week I wrote about a very cool feature coming to some Android phones right now that I really want Apple to steal for the iPhone 11. That feature, which is about to debut on a new Oppo smartphone, is 10x hybrid zoom. It combines optical zoom with enhanced digital zoom to enable shockingly clear zoomed photos. The image samples in this post will blow you away, but it appears as though they're nothing compared to what's coming on Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 later this year.https://twitter.com/universeice/status/1112556407893549056According to Samsung insider Ice Universe, the Galaxy Note 10 will feature "a 100x optical hybrid zoom camera and a 1/1.2" 192MP camera." Those aren't typos. That's 100x hybrid zoom... and a whopping 192 megapixels. If the leak is accurate -- and Ice Universe is almost always accurate when he leaks inside information about unreleased smartphones -- it'll give the Galaxy Note 10 a huge selling point beyond the exciting new features we already expect, such as a new all-screen design, an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and nifty new S Pen features. If the Galaxy Note 10 that can take 100x zoomed photos that are anywhere near as clear as the 10x image samples we mentioned above, it is absolutely going to blow people's minds.Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Note 10 at some point in August 2019, so we'll undoubtedly see plenty more leaks before it hits store shelves.
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