2017年2月17日星期五

Yahoo! News: Terrorism

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Terrorism


WikiLeaks promoter Donald Trump now makes ‘low-life leakers’ his enemy

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 07:07 AM PST

WikiLeaks promoter Donald Trump now makes 'low-life leakers' his enemyPresident Trump, joined by top advisers, speaks by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office last month. President Trump is continuing to assail those who leaked information about former national security adviser Michael Flynn's phone calls with Russia and the media for publishing it. The attacks against leaks are striking as Trump attempts to shift the focus of his administration's controversies over to what he calls the "real scandal" of leaks.


The Latest: 12-year-old shot over weekend dies

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 05:57 PM PST

The Latest: 12-year-old shot over weekend diesCHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on deadly violence in Chicago (all times local):


U.S.' Tillerson calms allies on Syria ahead of Geneva talks

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 05:00 AM PST

U.S.' Tillerson calms allies on Syria ahead of Geneva talksBy John Irish and Sabine Siebold BONN, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, trying to reassure allies that Washington was not tilting towards Moscow over the Syrian conflict, told them on Friday that the United States backed U.N. efforts to broker a political solution to the war, officials and diplomats said. Tillerson also said military ties with Russia hinged on its stance towards rebels fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad, who Russia backs.


Zealandia Might Be The World's Smallest Continent, Not Austrailia

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 04:11 AM PST

Zealandia Might Be The World's Smallest Continent, Not AustrailiaAccording to the Geological Society of America, the landmass is believed to have broken away from Gondwana 60-85 million years ago.


Michel, GOP leader skilled at deal-making, dies at age 93

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 05:38 PM PST

Michel, GOP leader skilled at deal-making, dies at age 93WASHINGTON (AP) — Bob Michel, an affable Illinois congressman who served as leader of the Republican House minority for 14 years and was skilled at seeking compromise critical in getting many initiatives of two Republican presidents through Congress, died Friday. He was 93.


Red blooms and warm glows at Pyongyang' Kimjongilia flower show

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 02:12 AM PST

Red blooms and warm glows at Pyongyang' Kimjongilia flower showIt is, according to North Korean orthodoxy, the mountainside birthplace of Kim Jong-Il, who inherited power from his father and passed it in turn to his son, current leader Kim Jong-Un. The image of the Day of the Shining Star, as the occasion is known, is a recurring motif at the Kimjongilia flower festival in Pyongyang, appearing in mosaics and models surrounded by the eponymous red blooms. "The great leader general Kim Jong-Il was born in a secret camp on Mount Paektu," she said -– a volcano straddling the Chinese-Korean border seen as the spiritual birthplace of the Korean nation.


Shows ban White House representatives

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 12:41 PM PST

Shows ban White House representativesSome are concerned that banning White House reps from television and radio shows could prevent an open dialogue on important issues and prevent information from getting to the public.


Philippines' Duterte says anti-money laundering body to show his bank accounts

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 07:06 AM PST

Philippines' Duterte says anti-money laundering body to show his bank accountsPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday he had ordered the anti-money laundering council to make public his bank accounts, a day after one of his staunchest critics revived allegations of millions of dollars of hidden assets. At a private dinner with retired military and police officers in Baguio City, Duterte said he was proud to have been made an honorary member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1967 and added that "I would shame the class" by any involvement in corruption. "I've ordered the anti-money laundering council and everybody to give information on what my worth is in this, in terms of pesos on this planet, so I will not shame you," the firebrand leader said.


Transgender Woman Arrested by ICE Agents While Seeking Protective Order Against Alleged Abuser

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:28 PM PST

Transgender Woman Arrested by ICE Agents While Seeking Protective Order Against Alleged AbuserDomestic violence and legal authorities condemned the arrest, saying it sets a concerning precedent and has made victims hesitant to come forward.


Trump denies campaign had pre-election contact with Russia

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 06:56 PM PST

Trump denies campaign had pre-election contact with RussiaTrump also defended Michael Flynn, the national security advisor whose resignation he demanded and received this week, saying Flynn "wasn't wrong" for holding pre-inauguration phone calls with the Russian ambassador about US sanctions policy. Instead, Trump accused members of US intelligence agencies of breaking the law by leaking information about the calls. The new president, in the midst of a turbulent week of back-and-forth accusations about contacts with Russia and his battle with the intelligence community, addressed the concerns during an extraordinary White House press conference.


Yahoo notifies users of sophisticated breach methods

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:46 PM PST

Yahoo notifies users of sophisticated breach methodsYahoo said Wednesday it was notifying some users that hackers may have been able to use a maneuver to break into their accounts without stealing passwords. The notification indicates the investigation into the attacks are in the final stage, according to a source familiar with the matter, noting that messages had been sent to "a reasonably final list" of Yahoo users. A Yahoo spokesman said the company was notifying all potentially affected users and that it had "invalidated" the forged cookies.


NATO’s Buildup In Black Sea Could Lead To Cold War, Russian Envoy Says

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 03:16 AM PST

NATO's Buildup In Black Sea Could Lead To Cold War, Russian Envoy SaysThe comments came after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the 28-nation bloc would fortify its military presence in the Black Sea region.


Heavy rains, flooding force evacuations in the Gaza Strip

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 11:11 AM PST

Heavy rains, flooding force evacuations in the Gaza StripHeavy rains have caused flooding across the Gaza Strip, overwhelming the territory's beleaguered sewage system and forcing at least eight families to evacuate from their makeshift homes. Basma al-Bishawi said some residents used buckets to try to bail water from their homes "in vain" on Thursday, and that he pulled his own son from a river of sewage. The restrictions, and three wars between Israel and Hamas, have taken a heavy toll on Gaza's infrastructure.


China carfentanil ban a 'game-changer' for opioid epidemic

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 10:30 AM PST

China carfentanil ban a 'game-changer' for opioid epidemicSHANGHAI (AP) — So deadly it's considered a terrorist threat, carfentanil has been legal in China— until now. Beijing is banning carfentanil and three similar drugs as of March 1, China's Ministry of Public Security said Thursday, closing a major regulatory loophole in the fight to end America's opioid epidemic.


Best Buy is running a killer President’s Day sale on the iPhone 7/7 Plus, HDTVs and more

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 11:24 AM PST

Best Buy is running a killer President's Day sale on the iPhone 7/7 Plus, HDTVs and more

The holiday season might be over, but that doesn't mean we have to wait until the end of the year for more great sales. On Friday at midnight, Best Buy kicked off its annual President's Day sale, offering up dozens of deals on smartphones, TVs, computers, cameras, appliances and more. The sale lasts all weekend and the retailer says that quantities are limited, so don't delay if you see an interesting deal.

Rather than list all of the deals available in the sale, we've rounded up the very best that we could find and broke them down by category below. Whether you're looking for a cheap iPhone 7, an affordable 4K TV or a touchscreen laptop that won't break the bank, we've got you covered:

Smartphones

Televisions

Computers

There are plenty of other unlocked phones, printers, vacuum cleaners, headphones, routers, cases, external hard drives and more available on Best Buy's website, so be sure to check out the full sale there.


N. Zealand part of sunken 'lost continent': scientists

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 11:10 PM PST

N. Zealand part of sunken 'lost continent': scientistsNew Zealand sits atop a previously unknown continent -- mostly submerged beneath the South Pacific -- that should be recognised with the name Zealandia, scientists said Friday. Researchers said Zealandia was a distinct geological entity and met all the criteria applied to Earth's seven other continents -- elevation above the surrounding area, distinctive geology, a well-defined area and a crust much thicker than that found on the ocean floor. In a paper published in the Geological Society of America's Journal, GSA Today, they said Zealandia measured five million square kilometre (1.9 million square miles) and was 94 percent underwater.


Third suspect arrested in Malaysia over murder of North Korean

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:36 AM PST

Third suspect arrested in Malaysia over murder of North KoreanBy Joseph Sipalan and Liz Lee KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian police made a third arrest on Thursday in their hunt for the people involved in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The third person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was the friend of an Indonesian woman who was detained earlier in the day in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam at the airport in the Malaysian capital on Monday, police said.


Florida Navy Veteran Beaten For Trying To Save Turtle

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 02:01 PM PST

Florida Navy Veteran Beaten For Trying To Save TurtleThree suspects lifted the turtle off the ground and hurled it back to the pavement, trying to break its shell.


Undocumented mother seeks sanctuary in US church

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 11:45 PM PST

Undocumented mother seeks sanctuary in US churchJeanette Vizguerra fled to the United States from Mexico with her family after her husband was kidnapped three times, once with a gun to his head. Now, nearly 20 years later, she is seeking refuge again, this time in a church to avoid being deported as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigrants living in the country illegally. Vizguerra, 47, and her three young children, who are US citizens, are living in the basement of Denver's First Unitarian Society Church, where she sought sanctuary late Tuesday, rightly suspecting that a stay of her deportation order would not be extended by a judge the following day.


Damaged dam threatens Northern California towns

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 07:10 AM PST

Damaged dam threatens Northern California townsCalifornians who were ordered to evacuate due to a threat from erosion at the tallest dam in the United States can now return home after state crews working around the clock reinforced a drainage channel that was weakened by heavy rain.


Venezuela opposition parties fear election ban as Socialists dig in

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 12:40 AM PST

Venezuela opposition parties fear election ban as Socialists dig inBy Brian Ellsworth CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government is pushing forward with measures that could exclude some opposition political parties from future elections, potentially paving the way for the ruling Socialists to remain in power despite widespread anger over the country's collapsing economy. The Supreme Court, loyal to socialist president Nicolas Maduro, has ordered the main opposition parties to "renew" themselves through petition drives whose conditions are so strict that party leaders and even an election official described them as impossible to meet. Socialist Party officials scoff at the complaints.


Russian Spy Ship Not A ‘Direct Threat,’ Pentagon Says

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 09:51 PM PST

Russian Spy Ship Not A 'Direct Threat,' Pentagon SaysViktor Leonov was spotted off the U.S. eastern coast soon after Donald Trump's national security adviser resigned amid security concerns over his communications with Russia.


The 2018 Jaguar XE S Makes 380 Horsepower, Is Out for 3 Series Blood

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 12:43 PM PST

The 2018 Jaguar XE S Makes 380 Horsepower, Is Out for 3 Series BloodThat's a 40-horsepower increase over the current XE 35t.


There’s a broken iPhone on eBay right now for $149,999, and here’s why

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 02:56 PM PST

There's a broken iPhone on eBay right now for $149,999, and here's why

Want to waste some money? There's an iPhone on eBay right now that will most certainly help you achieve that. It's an iPhone 4s, the glass on both its front and back are completely shattered, but — and this is apparently the thing that makes it worth its $149,999 asking price — the back panel has been replaced with a totally unlicensed one honoring the late Steve Jobs. The seller insists that any potential buyers "do research before purchase," so let's take their advice and figure out what in the hell is going on here.

The seller's description sheds very little light on why they believe this particular shattered iPhone is worth as much as a high-end sports car, but it's clear it all comes back to that fancy Steve Jobs tribute on the back. The seller boldly claims that the phone is "1 of only 56 phones made to honor the late Steve Jobs."

The back panel of the iPhone reads "Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011" and replaces the official Apple logo with a version using Jobs' likeness as the cutout. That particular logo was designed by Jonathan Mak, a design student in Hong Kong who created it shortly after Jobs' death as a tribute to the tech guru. It quickly went viral and was ripped off for all kinds of unlicensed accessories, from phone cases to posters.

The modified logo was also used by a company called Goldgenie, which has become fairly well known for producing absurdly expensive versions of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices. The company modifies them by adding lots of gold and sometimes gems, and often replaces parts of Apple's devices with gold plated versions. After Jobs passed away in 2011, Goldgenie decided to roll out a special edition iPhone 4s paying tribute to him. The phone had its rear panel replaced with a gold version using Mak's logo, and Goldgenie made only — wait for it — 56 of them.

Unfortunately for the eBay seller in question, the phone in the listing is not one of these cherished tributes. Okay, so if it's not one of these limited edition phones, how did it end up with the Steve Jobs treatment? Like I said above, that altered logo made it to all corners of the grey market, and one iPhone replacement parts maker decided to use it to create replacement panels for the iPhone 4s.

You could buy them (on eBay, ironically) for about $10 to $15, and countless were sold in the months following Jobs' death.

What the seller is trying to claim is an extremely limited edition, gold-plated tribute iPhone is really just a busted iPhone 4s with a busted $10 grey market replacement panel on the back. Try not to sprain your wrist as you pull your credit card out at mach speed.


Almost 500 migrants smash through border fence into Spain

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 05:47 AM PST

Almost 500 migrants smash through border fence into SpainMADRID (AP) — Almost 500 migrants forced their way into Spanish territory in North Africa early Friday by breaking through gates in the 20-foot (6-meter) high fence that separates Morocco from Spain's Ceuta enclave.


'Day Without Immigrants' protests in Triangle, across US

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 02:42 PM PST

'Day Without Immigrants' protests in Triangle, across USOrganizers for "A Day Without Immigrants" urged immigrants across the U.S. to miss work, skip class and not shop to show the country just how important they are to America's economy.


Hong Kong police jailed over attack on democracy protester

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 08:58 PM PST

Hong Kong police jailed over attack on democracy protesterSeven Hong Kong police officers were jailed for two years Friday for what the judge described as a "vicious" attack on a protester during pro-democracy rallies in 2014, captured on film and beamed around the world. All seven were convicted earlier this week of assault causing actual bodily harm to Civic Party activist Ken Tsang, but were acquitted of a more serious charge of grievous bodily harm with intent. It was "a vicious assault", said judge David Dufton as he handed down sentencing at the city's district court, adding that police officers who break the law "have to be made an example of".


Drug smugglers go full 'Mad Max' with pot-slinging catapult

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:12 AM PST

Drug smugglers go full 'Mad Max' with pot-slinging catapultDrug smugglers are equipping themselves for Donald Trump's wall, it seems.   SEE ALSO: Mexico investigates actress who arranged Sean Penn's El Chapo meeting U.S. border patrol agents in Arizona have uncovered and dismantled a very rudimentary catapult used to sling marijuana into the United States from Mexico.  Yep, for real. A closer look at the device reveals a medieval-style bundle of tubing and heavy spring tied together by rope which could be straight from Mad Max: Fury Road Agents made the discovery when they approached several people near the fence, who then scattered away, according to CNN. Two bundles of cannabis weighing a combined 47 lb (21 kg) were still attached to the catapult.  The U.S. federal agency tweeted the picture, joking that USBP agents "spring into action" dismantling the pot-flinging tool.  #USBP agents spring into action dismantling catapult used to launch #Marijuana #HonorfirstDetails: https://t.co/NfhWwej7G7 pic.twitter.com/wJ3HPMLTuN — CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) February 14, 2017 Trump has promised to build the wall on the 1,100-mile border with Mexico. About 650 miles of the border are already covered by some sort of fence.  Drug traffickers have been very creative in trying to smuggle their product over, including drones, car ramps, air cannons, key lime or carrots. Authorities also discovered a 380m tunnel that ran from a restaurant in Mexico to a house in California. BONUS: Psychedelic drug trial at NYU


Why Your Dishwasher Filter Makes a Difference

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 10:06 AM PST

Why Your Dishwasher Filter Makes a DifferenceAfter deciding whether you want a third rack in your new dishwasher or extra spray arms to clean your extra-dirty dishes, you might not give much thought to the dishwasher filter. In fact, many c...


Venezuela pulls Spanish-language CNN from air for 'distorting truth'

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 07:29 PM PST

Venezuela pulls Spanish-language CNN from air for 'distorting truth'By Girish Gupta and Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro's government ordered the suspension of CNN's Spanish-language service from Venezuela's airwaves on Wednesday, accusing it of distorting the truth in coverage. U.S.-based 'CNN en Espanol' became unavailable on Venezuela's major cable providers minutes after a statement by telecommunications regulator Conatel announcing the suspension. The network had irked the socialist government with various reports, including one alleging passports and visas were being sold illegally at Venezuela's embassy in Iraq.


FCC On AT&T-Time Warner Merger: We Want To Make Sure 'That There's A Competitive Marketplace'

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 02:06 PM PST

FCC On AT&T-Time Warner Merger: We Want To Make Sure 'That There's A Competitive Marketplace'FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the commission will take a careful approach towards the merger between AT&T and Time-Warner.


Mexico hails big year for tourism in 2016

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:56 PM PST

Mexico hails big year for tourism in 2016Mexico enjoyed a banner year in 2016 for tourism, hitting "historic highs" in part due to a spike in the number of US travelers drawn in by the weakened peso, the government said Wednesday. A total of 35 million foreign visitors went to Mexico last year, up nine percent from 2015, the tourism ministry said. The government said the figures showed that the tourism sector was "one of the main driving forces" for the country's economy.


Google Home just caught up with Amazon Echo in one key area

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 05:32 PM PST

Google Home just caught up with Amazon Echo in one key area

While Google's Home is every bit as powerful and intelligent as Amazon's Echo on many fronts, there are a few areas where it doesn't quite stack up. On Thursday though, Google brought the Home one step closer to the Echo by adding shopping functionality to Google Assistant -- the AI that powers Google Home.

"Starting today, you can shop for your everyday essentials—from paper towels to vitamins," Google revealed in a blog post on Wednesday. You'll be able to order from participating Google Express retailers, including Costco, Whole Foods Market, Walgreens, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and more than 50 other national and locally available retailers [which you can see in the link above]."

All you have to do to start shopping is say "Ok Google, how do I shop?" at which point Google Assistant will explain how the process works. You can also just jump straight into shopping by saying something like "Ok Google, order paper towels." Google Assistant will verify the command and order the product.

Additionally, from now until April 30th, 2017, Google won't charge you for any service or membership fees. If you want to take advantage of this limited-time offer, head to the "More settings" section of the Google Home app, tap "Payments" and set your default credit card and shipping address. You can check out more detailed instructions on the set-up process on Google's support website.

Google says that this is "just the beginning of what's possible for shopping with the Google Assistant." Purchases will be enabled in more apps and services "over the coming months."


Baghdad car bomb claimed by Islamic State kills 55

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 11:21 AM PST

Baghdad car bomb claimed by Islamic State kills 55BAGHDAD (AP) — A car bomb at a Baghdad auto dealership killed at least 55 people and wounded more than 60 on Thursday, Iraqi officials said.


iPhone 8 Mystery Solved with Rumored 'Function Area'

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 05:52 AM PST

iPhone 8 Mystery Solved with Rumored 'Function Area'When it come to iPhone 8 rumors, there's been a pretty big contradiction of late. Some reports have pointed to a 5.8-inch screen, while others say Apple's 10th anniversary phone will sport a 5.1-inch to 5.2-inch panel. The iPhone 8 could have a function area with virtual buttons.


Indonesian accused of Kim half-brother's murder 'duped': officials

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 09:01 AM PST

Indonesian accused of Kim half-brother's murder 'duped': officialsAn Indonesian woman arrested over the assassination of the North Korean leader's half-brother was "duped" into believing that she was taking part in a TV prank show, officials said Friday. Siti Aishah is among three people detained over the Cold War-style killing of Kim Jong-Nam in a Malaysian airport on Monday that South Korea says was carried out by female agents armed with poison working for Pyongyang. Malaysian police say that Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged elder brother of Kim Jong-Un, was preparing to board a plane to Macau when he was jumped by two women who squirted some kind of liquid in his face.


Thai police raid temple belonging to Buddhist sect

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 06:56 PM PST

Thai police raid temple belonging to Buddhist sectPATHUM THANI, Thailand (AP) — Thai police raided the head temple of a controversial Buddhist sect but failed to find and arrest the abbot, who faces criminal charges over accepting $40 million in embezzled money.


2017 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Euro-Spec

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 10:08 AM PST

2017 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Euro-SpecThe best Passat we don't get.


China says common interests outweigh differences with U.S.

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 07:39 AM PST

China says common interests outweigh differences with U.S.The common interests between China and the United States far outweigh their differences, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday in their first face-to-face meeting since Tillerson took up his job. U.S. President Donald Trump angered Beijing in December by talking to the president of Taiwan and saying the United States did not have to stick to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.


Girl, 7, Gets Letter From Google CEO

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 10:10 AM PST

Girl, 7, Gets Letter From Google CEO "Dear Google Boss," Chloe Bridgewater, who lives in Hereford, England, started her letter.


The Ferrari 812 Superfast Is Maranello's Most Powerful Production Car Ever

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 09:20 AM PST

The Ferrari 812 Superfast Is Maranello's Most Powerful Production Car EverWith its naturally-aspirated V12 producing 789 horsepower, it's also the fastest, hence the name.


Heroic dog 'Oddball' dies after a long life, protecting tiny penguins

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:56 PM PST

Heroic dog 'Oddball' dies after a long life, protecting tiny penguinsLast week, a dog died. Not just any dog. It was Oddball, the famous maremma. Oddball was a lot of things: A penguin protector (seriously), loyal companion and the inspiration for a hit film, based on her life. SEE ALSO: Doggy tour bus shows adventurous pups the sights of London Oddball was part of a pioneering project developed by Allan 'Swampy' Marsh in order to protect the fairy penguin population of Middle Island in Australia's south-west Victoria from local foxes and other assorted predators. She was the very first dog sent to the island as part of the Middle Island Maremma Project, and definitively proved that maremmas were capable of protecting the at-risk penguin population. A pensive Oddball. Image: Vimeo/screenshot. She was still a true original. A forward-thinker in a world of copycats (and dogs). "She was 105 in dog years, so she had a pretty good innings," Marsh told the ABC. "She's had a great legacy, and she'll always be remembered as one of the most polite dogs around." #RIP Oddball, what an incredible #legacy you leave behind!  #maremma #penguins #thankyou #oddball pic.twitter.com/KnhvsmdvMs — Wet Noses Mobile Vet (@WetnosesVet) February 15, 2017 Vale Oddball. Hope you have a good time in doggie heaven and enjoy lots of bones. Let's hope so. Image: The Simpsons/Fox BONUS: People think Adele broke her Grammy in two and gave half to Beyoncé


Suicide bombing at Pakistan shrine

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 09:46 AM PST

Suicide bombing at Pakistan shrineA brutal attack on a beloved Sufi shrine that killed 88 people raised fears that the Islamic State group has become emboldened in Pakistan, aided by an army of homegrown militants benefiting from hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, analysts and officials said Friday. Pakistani security forces have carried out sweeping country-wide raids following Thursday's bombing of the shrine in Pakistan's southern Sindh province that also wounded 343 people. The military's public relations wing reported on its official twitter account that more than 100 suspected 'terrorists" were killed in the raids, while government officials lashed out at Kabul accusing the Afghan government of ignoring earlier pleas to crackdown on militant hideouts. (AP) See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumbl


AT&T’s new ‘unlimited’ plan sucks

Posted: 17 Feb 2017 02:29 PM PST

AT&T's new 'unlimited' plan sucks

As of this morning, all four major wireless carriers offer data plans described as "unlimited" to all their customers. But while I'm reluctantly willing to describe the Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint plans as unlimited (despite some restrictions), AT&T's plan could better be described as a "22GB data plan but you can't actually use that data to watch pretty videos or do work on your laptop" plan.

Admittedly, it's not such a catchy description, but it does have the alternative benefit of being true.

When AT&T announced the plan yesterday, it didn't give us all of the pricing details or restrictions on that unlimited data. But now that the plan is available, we can see specifics, and it suddenly looks like less of a good deal.

Let's start with the fine print. There's a lot of it, which you can examine in detail here, but two conditions really stand out:

  • Tethering and mobile hotspot use are prohibited (except for Connected Cars)
  • Stream Saver is included on select plans, including the new AT&T Unlimited Plan. Stream Saver is designed to identify streaming video content so that data speed and resolution of higher definition video can be adjusted to Standard Definition quality (about 480p). This allows customers to stream more video while using the same amount of data.

According to these details, there's no way for you to use the mobile hotspot feature on your phone, even in a limited way. If you ever need to work on the go, forget about AT&T's unlimited plan, in other words. It's particularly bad when you compare it to Verizon and T-Mobile's newly-updated Unlimited plans, both of which offer 10GB of 4G tethering, and unlimited tethering at slower speeds.

Stream Saver is phrased as a consumer-friendly way of saving you data, but the end result is probably a little different than what you want: it means that you can't stream video in HD, even if you want to. Again, it doesn't look good compared to T-Mobile or Verizon, both of which actually allow you to choose if you want to stream HD or SD video.

screenshot-2017-02-17-at-12-49-05

Then there's the pricing. The spreadsheet above shows the different prices for all the different Unlimited plans, and as you can see, AT&T doesn't compare particularly well. AT&T's pricing is $100 for the first smartphone, and then $40 thereafter for each additional device. The company is promising a bill credit for $40 when you add one more smartphone, which means three or four lines are virtually the same price (although you'll stay pay taxes on the fourth line, we assume).

The estimated taxes are a best guess based on the New York zip code, as as none of the customer service teams I contacted could actually give me a firm quote for the taxes and fees on each plan. T-Mobile includes all taxes and fees in the stated price.

Based on those prices, AT&T is the most expensive, and is particularly bad if you're just one person wanting unlimited data. Given than Verizon and T-Mobile rank in front of AT&T in network speed and availability, and have plans that are cheaper and more generous with data, there's no actual reason I can see for going with AT&T's new plan.


Tiffany Trump Shunned During New York Fashion Week

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 12:36 PM PST

Tiffany Trump Shunned During New York Fashion WeekDuring the Philipp Plein show on Monday, Tiffany Trump was left sitting alone after several magazine editors moved so they wouldn't have to be near President Trump's daughter.


Indiana home searched in investigation of girls' deaths

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 06:11 PM PST

Indiana home searched in investigation of girls' deathsDELPHI, Ind. (AP) — Authorities said they were searching a home in northern Indiana on Thursday looking for clues to the deaths of two teenage girls whose bodies were found on a trail where they had been dropped off to go hiking.


Yahoo fined after news story aborts Australia murder trial

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 07:34 PM PST

Yahoo fined after news story aborts Australia murder trialAustralian-US media outlet Yahoo7 was Friday found in contempt and fined over an online story that saw a murder trial aborted, with a judge slamming the website for prioritising profit above oversight. A Sydney-based Yahoo7 journalist, Krystal Johnson, and the company were hauled before court last year over a report about a Melbourne murder trial that contained prejudicial information not heard by the jury. Justice John Dixon of the Supreme Court of Victoria convicted Yahoo7 -- co-owned by US internet giant Yahoo and Australia's Seven West Media -- of contempt of court and fined the news organisation Aus$300,000 (US$230,000).


Dems see disparity in handling of Clinton, Russia inquiries

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 12:39 AM PST

Dems see disparity in handling of Clinton, Russia inquiriesWASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are criticizing the FBI over its refusal to discuss potential contacts between Russian officials and associates of President Donald Trump, saying the bureau's tight-lipped approach and its public disclosures about Hillary Clinton's emails during the fractious election campaign reflect a double standard.


China demands Vietnam's apology for attack alleged by tourist

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 01:02 AM PST

China demands Vietnam's apology for attack alleged by touristChina on Thursday demanded that Vietnam apologize to a Chinese tourist who says he was beaten up by Vietnamese border guards after failing to pay a bribe, an incident that provoked outrage among Chinese internet users. The call comes a month after the neighbors pledged to safeguard peace in the disputed South China Sea, nearly all of which is claimed by China, although Vietnam and four other Asian nations also have claims in the oil-rich area. Last week, a group of about eight uniformed men beat a Chinese man surnamed Xie in Vietnam's northern city of Mong Cai on the border with China, after he failed to pay a "tip", the state-run China News Service said on Saturday, citing Xie.


Upcoming HTC Phones For 2017 Won't Be Cheap

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 08:09 PM PST

Upcoming HTC Phones For 2017 Won't Be CheapHTC said during a conference call that it wants to drop low-costs phones because there's a slim chance of generating profit from such products.


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