| Spain Just Made History -- Twice. Here's What Went Down, Hour By Hour Posted: 27 Oct 2017 03:31 PM PDT  In a shockingly rapid sequence of events, history was made twice over in Spain on Friday.
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| Kurds, still hoping for independence, fight on after losing Kirkuk Posted: 27 Oct 2017 01:48 PM PDT  Iraqi Kurds, who voted for independence in a nonbinding referendum, have lost oil-rich Kirkuk to government forces, allegedly supported by Iranian militias. Kurdish leaders accuse the U.S. of helping their enemies, including known terrorists.
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| Two Sailors Rescued After Five Months Lost at Sea Posted: 27 Oct 2017 09:16 AM PDT  Jennifer Appel and Natasha Fuiava were finally rescued along with their two dogs after 176 days at sea, where they outlasted turbulent weather, engine failure and several encounters with sharks.
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| 2 Women Lost at Sea for 5 Months Survived Shark Attacks and Storms Posted: 27 Oct 2017 07:19 AM PDT  Two American women and their dogs were rescued this week by the United States Navy, after being adrift in the Pacific Ocean for five months.
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| American who joined, escaped Islamic State gets 20 years Posted: 27 Oct 2017 02:18 PM PDT  ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — More than 100 people in the U.S. have been charged with trying to help the Islamic State, or trying to join it, but Mohamad Khweis stood out because he succeeded.
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| A Fire Has Been Burning For Days At A West Virginia Plastics Warehouse Posted: 26 Oct 2017 07:19 PM PDT  WASHINGTON — A fire continued to smolder at a plastics warehouse in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on Thursday evening, nearly six days after it erupted.
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| At The Women's Convention, A Clear Message: Follow Black Women In 2018 Posted: 28 Oct 2017 02:50 PM PDT  DETROIT— Hard conversations about race have been at the heart of the Women's March from the moment it began to take shape last fall, and at the Women's Convention in Detroit this weekend, they were front and center once again.
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| EU warns 'more cracks' in bloc as Spain dissolves Catalonia's parliament after it declares independence Posted: 28 Oct 2017 12:23 AM PDT  The EU's most senior official warned that "more cracks" were emerging in the bloc on Friday after the Catalan parliament declared independence from Spain, plunging the country into political and economic turmoil. Madrid swiftly responded to the vote by dissolving the Catalan parliament and dismissing Carles Puigdemont as president of Catalonia and his entire government. Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, announced that regional elections would be held in December and said the unprecedented act of imposing direct rule on the regional was needed to "recover normality". The national police may be deployed to bring Catalonia under Madrid's control. The shock decision to declare independence poses potentially the greatest threat to the EU's unity since Brexit, and is likely to fuel support for separatist movements in Ireland, Scotland and the Basque Country. Rajoy dissolves Catalan parliament and calls snap election 00:44 "[The EU] doesn't need any more cracks, more splits ... we shouldn't insert ourselves into what is an internal debate for Spain, but I wouldn't want the European Union to consist of 95 member states in the future," warned Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, on Friday evening. The crisis marks the first time that a region within an EU member state has broken away from the bloc, though movements demanding more independence exist in several countries. People celebrate after Catalonia's parliament voted to declare independence from Spain on October 27, 2017 Credit: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU Catalans cheered, hugged and drank Cava Thousands of pro-independence activists clapped and cheered in the streets of Barcelona as the votes were counted, before breaking into a spontaneous rendition of Catalonia's regional anthem. Many drank from bottles of Cava, a sparkling wine produced in Catalonia, as they waved the region's red-and-yellow flag and hugged each other. But in Madrid, the senate reacted by granting sweeping powers to Mr Rajoy which will allow him to impose direct rule over the rogue region. "I have dissolved the parliament of Catalonia and on December 21 there will be elections in that region," he said. "I have decided to call those free, fair and legal elections to restore democracy. We never wanted to reach this situation." Protesters shouts slogans during a rally outside the Catalan Parliament, in Barcelona He earlier said: "Spain is a serious country, a great nation, and we are not going to watch while a few individuals try to liquidate our constitution." The beleaguered prime minister held a crisis cabinet meeting on Friday evening, as the United States, France and Germany reiterated their support for a united Spain. Pido tranquilidad a todos los españoles. El Estado de Derecho restaurará la legalidad en Cataluña. MR— Mariano Rajoy Brey (@marianorajoy) October 27, 2017 Theresa May also rejected the independence vote and said it was crucial that unity in Spain was upheld. "The UK does not and will not recognise the Unilateral Declaration of Independence made by the Catalan regional parliament. It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts," she said. "We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish Constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved." Donald Tusk, the European Council president, said Madrid "remains our only interlocutor" following the independence vote. "I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force," he said. Catalan leader faces arrest A senior Spanish official said the justice ministry was now pursuing rebellion charges against those responsible for the vote, including Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. Under Spanish law, rebellion can be punished with up to 30 years in prison, with shorter penalties if the act of rebellion doesn't lead to violence. The Catalan resolution, which Madrid has dismissed as illegal, was passed by 70 votes to 10 and caused shares in Spanish companies, particularly Catalan banks, to drop sharply. CaixaBank, Spain's third largest lender, fell by around five per cent while Sabadell, the country's fifth largest lender, fell roughly six per cent. All public services to be controlled by Spain Mr Rajoy's powers were granted to him under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which is designed to prevent the country's 17 regions from breaking away. It is understood that a new leadership structure will now be imposed on the region's Mossos d'Esqudra police force, whose current chief, Major Josep Lluís Trapero, is already facing a judicial investigation for alleged sedition. Madrid may also assume power over the region's finances, including taxes and all public spending approved by Catalan officials. All Catalan public services will be subject to direct control from Madrid, potentially including the public broadcaster TV3, which has been accused of bias towards the pro-independence government. Madrid moves to suspend Catalan government 01:04 Speaking after the vote, Fernando Martínez-Maíllo, chief spokesman for Mr Rajoy's Popular Party, said the Spanish government would "proceed in a matter of hours to restore legality in Catalonia with the application of Article 155." Calls for mass civil disobedience But the main secessionist group in Catalonia, the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), called on civil servants to refuse orders from the Spanish government in an act of "peaceful resistance". Roughly the size of Belgium, the wealthy Catalan region accounts for about 16 per cent of Spain's population and a fifth of its economic output. Resentment towards interference from Madrid has been fermenting for years, and earlier this month sparked an independence vote deemed illegal by the central government and the courts. While fiercely protective of their language, culture and autonomy - restored at the end of the 1939-1975 dictatorship of Francisco Franco - Catalans are deeply divided on independence. Catalan authorities said 90 per cent voted "Yes" in the unregulated October plebiscite but turnout was only 43 percent as many who oppose a split boycotted the referendum. People react as they watch on giant screens a plenary session outside the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona That vote was marred by violence, with more than 850 people injured by Spanish police who deployed to stop Catalans from voting. The EU was fiercely criticised for its slowness in condemning the violence, despite its track record of taking a hard line against crackdowns on democracy in the Middle East and Asia. Spanish flag taken down in Girona Local reporter Maria Garcia posted the following video on Twitter, which shows that the Spanish flag has been removed from Girona's town hall. Després de treure la bandera espanyola de l'ajuntament, ara han tret la de la seu de la Generalitat a Girona #QueNoPariLaFestapic.twitter.com/i6hOIHsWGP— Maria Garcia (@MariutGarcia) October 27, 2017 How much support is there for independence in Catalonia? Carmen Calvo, a former minister and the party's chief negotiator with the Rajoy government on the terms of Article 155, said "Puigdemont can still call elections within the law". Mr Puigdemont was expected to call snap elections on Thursday, but finally decided that he lacked "guarantees" that would allow a ballot to be held without repression from Spain's authorities. How Catalonia is so important to Spain The ruling Popular Party does not need the votes of socialist senators to trigger the application of Article 155, but Mr Rajoy has been at pains to seek broad support. PSOE negotiated the terms of the social powers being invoked, but then said that snap elections should mean a stay on direct rule being imposed. The centrist Ciudadanos, which leads opposition to Catalan nationalism in the region's parliament, has pledged its support to the government. The signing and celebrating outside Parliament of #Catalan independence seekers realise independence declaration is going ahead ... pic.twitter.com/J1Gh1YEzha— Gavin Lee (@GavinLeeBBC) October 27, 2017 The Left-wing Podemos, the only national party to support a legal referendum in Catalonia, opposes both the imposition of Article 155 and any unilateral declaration of independence. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias said on Thursday that "elections in Catalonia will not resolve the problem, but they will make it more difficult to apply [Article] 155 and provide more time to seek dialogue".
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| Mark Halperin Says He Is 'Profoundly Sorry' After Sexual Harassment Allegations Posted: 27 Oct 2017 04:06 PM PDT  Mark Halperin responded to the numerous sexual harassment allegations against him in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday.
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| Women's March leaders take message to Detroit as Women's Convention begins Posted: 27 Oct 2017 04:00 AM PDT  The Women's Convention was organized by the leaders of January's Women's March. Nine months after women marched through the streets of Washington DC and cities across the country wearing pink knit hats and carrying feminist placards, thousands will gather this weekend in Detroit for a three-day convention to chart a path forward for the nascent "resistance" movement in the US. The Women's Convention, which takes place at the Cobo Center from Friday to Sunday, was organized by the leaders of the Women's March, the 21 January protest that, largely unexpectedly, turned into one of the largest mass demonstrations in US history.
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| Mother Intentionally Drove Off Cliff, Killing Herself and Her 3 Kids: Police Posted: 28 Oct 2017 11:48 AM PDT  She veered off the a highway last year.
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| JFK files: Russia feared Lee Harvey Oswald would get them nuked by US Posted: 27 Oct 2017 04:58 AM PDT  In the aftermath of President John F Kennedy's assassination, the USSR was worried it would be blamed for putting Lee Harvey Oswald up to the attack, and that America could lash out in a state of leaderless panic. Previously classified intelligence documents depict turmoil on both sides of the Atlantic, as officials attempted to piece together what had happened and exactly who was to blame. Almost 3,000 newly released documents detail everything the US knew about the Russian reaction to the 1963 assassination and reveal the extent to which the Kremlin believed in conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's death.
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| China's neo-Maoists welcome Xi's new era, but say he is not the new Mao Posted: 27 Oct 2017 05:14 PM PDT  By Christian Shepherd BEIJING (Reuters) - A fringe group of hard-line conservatives who long for the way things were under communist China's founding leader, Mao Zedong, have welcomed President Xi Jinping's "new era" of socialism and its renewed emphasis on equality. At the ruling Communist Party's leadership conclave that wrapped up this week, Xi laid out a confident vision for a proud and prosperous China, with the party firmly in control, and cemented his authority as the country's most powerful leader since Mao took power in 1949 and declared the founding of modern China. Delegates praised Xi using Mao-era honorifics, and he became the first serving Chinese leader since Mao to have a named ideology written into the party charter, signaling that it will be in effect beyond his second five-year term, which began this week.
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| Trump Often Says He Has Proof For His Claims. But He Never Comes Through. Posted: 28 Oct 2017 10:07 AM PDT  One of the most stunning parts of the White House's debacle over Donald Trump's recent call to a Gold Star family was how it caught both the president and the chief of staff in outright lies.
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| Oxford Muslim convert 'Jihadi Jack' charged with being member of Isil Posted: 28 Oct 2017 01:53 AM PDT  A man from Oxford who converted to Islam and travelled to Syria has been charged with being a member of islamic State. Jack Letts, 21, dubbed "Jihadi Jack", was arrested by Kurdish forces in northern Syria after fleeing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) stronghold of Raqqa. A statement from the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS) - a self-declared autonomous region - said Mr Letts had been taken to a prison in Qamishli, Rojava, northern Syria. Letts travelled to Syria in 2014 - having earlier converted to Islam while at school in Cherwell - and is understood to have been captured in May 2017. He was pictured with long hair and beard in Isil territory in Syria holding his index finger up to the sky, an Islamic gesture used by Isil as a symbol of their cause. John Letts and his wife Sally Lane arrive at Westminster Magistrates Court in June 2016 Credit: SWNS He married in Iraq and now has a child. In a conversation with the BBC in June from his prison cell, he said he hired a smuggler to help him escape the caliphate by motorbike before walking through a minefield into Kurdish territory. Letts says he doesn't want anything to do with Isil. "I hate them more than the Americans hate them," said. 'I realised they were not upon the truth so they put me in prison three times and threatened to kill me." His parents have denied he went to Syria to fight with Isil, and started a petition to protest his innocence. Foreign Office minister Rory Stewart asserted last week that the only way to deal with British Isis fighters in Syria would be "in almost every case, to kill them". Mr Letts' parents, Sally Lane and John Letts, criticised Mr Stewart for "arbitrarily [calling] for extrajudicial killings on uncharged British citizens", adding that the minister appeared to be "supported by Downing Street". The couple are awaiting trial following claims that they funded terrorism by sending money to their son - charges which they deny.
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| Citroën unveils new C4 Cactus Posted: 27 Oct 2017 07:07 AM PDT  When Citroën first unveiled the concept version of the C4 Cactus at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, it could have been seen as just another quirky design exercise from a manufacturer not exactly averse to unique styling. The Cactus has a new, fresher look for 2018, but the unique exterior cladding of this pseudo-SUV has all but disappeared. There are other aesthetic changes as well though, which include a new-style front bumper with new LED running lights and a revised rear bumper with a new design of rear light.
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| EU spurns Catalan independence declaration, backs Madrid Posted: 27 Oct 2017 10:17 AM PDT  The European Union on Friday spurned Catalonia's declaration of independence, voicing staunch support for Madrid in a crisis threatening the stability of a key member of the bloc as Brussels grapples with Brexit. President Donald Tusk said Madrid "remains our only interlocutor" after Catalan lawmakers voted to secede from Spain and appealed for a peaceful resolution to the rapidly escalating standoff. Brussels and EU member states have been steadfast in their backing of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy since the Catalan crisis erupted, fearing it could pose a fresh threat to European unity as the bloc haggles with Britain over the terms of Brexit.
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| Little boy asks everyone to help him find a forever home for his four-legged friend Posted: 27 Oct 2017 09:50 AM PDT  This determined little boy just sent out an urgent PSA on behalf of a beloved four-legged friend. Six-year-old Roman is calling on his followers to rescue Legend, a deaf and lovable Labrador retriever currently at Skagit Valley Humane Society in Burlington, Washington. The adorable video has more than 18,000 views, and counting. SEE ALSO: Rescue dog uses his smile to help find a forever home Roman's passion for rescuing canines began when he was just 4-years-old, according to mom, Jennifer McConn. "He opted to forego receiving presents on his fourth birthday and instead asked for donations so he could give those to a local rescue in Texas," McConn told Mashable. "It's kind of taken off since then." McConn said Roman typically enjoys interacting with dogs. He and his mom often make videos to spread the word about pups in need. Now, for his latest mission, Roman is determined to find a home for Legend. Roman and LegendImage: jennifer mcconn Image: jennifer mcconn Image: jennifer mcconnLegend is just one of many dogs McConn and Roman have helped. In fact, McConn runs her own animal rescue organizations, PAWS & Read and Project Freedom Ride, dedicated to caring for, sheltering, and rescuing dogs from kill shelters in Texas. "We transport dogs up to rescues and humane societies such as Skagit Valley Humane Society or to our direct adopters," said McConn. "Typically dogs that are in the humane society are our first priority to visit but there is always one or two non-Project Freedom Ride dogs that pull on our heart strings, like Legend." Image: jennifer mcconn Image: jennifer mcconnRoman is a true example that you can be a hero at any age. WATCH: Calm your dogs down with this fabulous doggy leotard
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| 34 Pasta Salads That Will Kill At Your Next Cookout Posted: 27 Oct 2017 12:11 PM PDT |
| This Is How Much Trump's Obamacare Sabotage Increased Health Insurance Costs Posted: 27 Oct 2017 12:00 AM PDT  President Donald Trump's decision to cut off billions of dollars owed to health insurance providers under the Affordable Care Act caused those companies to substantially increase premiums to cover their losses, according to an analysis published Friday.
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| Recognize and Prepare For the End of the Bull Market Posted: 27 Oct 2017 07:23 AM PDT ![Recognize and Prepare For the End of the Bull Market]( "Recognize and Prepare For the End of the Bull Market") For more than eight years now, the U.S. stock market has climbed higher without any major interruption. Investing during bull markets can be easy money for diversified investors. The stock market is considered to be in a bull market once it has gained 20 percent from a recent low point.
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| New questions and searches greet travelers flying to the US Posted: 27 Oct 2017 07:01 AM PDT  CHICAGO (AP) — Some were asked their hobbies and packing habits. Others were queried about what they do for a living. There were lines for security interviews and searches of carry-on bags.
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| South African farmers jailed for forcing black man into coffin Posted: 27 Oct 2017 06:59 AM PDT  By Dinky MKhize MIDDELBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Two white South African farmers who were filmed pushed a wailing black man into a coffin were sentenced to jail on Friday for attempted murder, assault and kidnapping. The 20-second video, widely circulated on social media last year, shows the victim, Victor Mlotshwa, cowering inside a coffin as one man pushes the lid down and the other threatens to put petrol and a snake inside. The defendants - Theo Jackson, sentenced to 14 years, and Willem Oosthuizen, sentenced to 11 years - had pleaded not guilty.
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| E! News Host Ken Baker Accused Of Sexual Harassment By Former Employees Posted: 27 Oct 2017 12:36 PM PDT  E! News senior correspondent Ken Baker has been accused of sexual harassment after speaking at length about the allegations surrounding Harvey Weinstein on the network, according to The Wrap.
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| Kenya counts votes, and the cost of a violence-hit election Posted: 26 Oct 2017 07:45 PM PDT  As polling officials tallied votes, Kenyans counted the cost Friday of a deeply-divisive election marred by an opposition boycott and protests that left at least four dead and scores wounded. The country's second presidential election in three months plunged into chaos on Thursday as supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga attempted to block voting, clashing with police who fired tear gas, water cannon and live bullets. The election came after a two-month political drama that began when the Supreme Court overturned the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in August 8 elections due to "irregularities".
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| 14 Reasons People Fall In Love With Their Partners Again And Again Posted: 27 Oct 2017 12:13 PM PDT  Keeping the spark alive in a romantic relationship isn't easy, especially after the honeymoon phase has come and gone.
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| Tiny Furniture Collection Was Designed Just For Cats Posted: 27 Oct 2017 01:29 PM PDT  Tiny Furniture Collection Was Designed Just For Cats
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| How the World Is Marking the 500th Birthday of Protestantism Posted: 27 Oct 2017 06:00 AM PDT  Many will mark the 500th anniversary of Oct. 31, 1517, when Martin Luther started a revolution by posting his complaints about the Church
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| Why Russia, China and North Korea Should Fear America's B-21 Bomber Posted: 27 Oct 2017 06:18 PM PDT  On October 27, 2015, nearly thirty-four years to the day after Northrop Grumman was awarded the contract to develop the first stealth bomber, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop a contract for a new bomber: the B-21 Raider. In invoking the Doolittle Raid, the Air Force is drawing attention to attack's audacious nature, the strategic and tactical surprise, and the epic distances General Doolittle and his "raiders" flew to accomplish their mission. A tailless, batlike aircraft, the official rendering of the B-21 Raider released by the Air Force bears a superficial resemblance to the B-2 Spirit bomber.
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| The Case Of Terry Richardson, And The Predatory Men Who Hide Behind 'Art' Posted: 27 Oct 2017 08:27 AM PDT  Terry Richardson, a fashion photographer who has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women over the last decade, was finally blacklisted by publishing company Condé Nast International, The Telegraph reported on Monday.
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| Science Says: Jack Frost nipping at your nose ever later Posted: 27 Oct 2017 01:09 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Winter is coming ... later. And it's leaving ever earlier.
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| Billionaire Insys founder charged in U.S. opioid bribe case Posted: 26 Oct 2017 07:03 PM PDT ![Billionaire Insys founder charged in U.S. opioid bribe case]( "Billionaire Insys founder charged in U.S. opioid bribe case") The billionaire founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc was arrested on Thursday on U.S. charges he participated in a scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe a fentanyl-based cancer pain drug, marking a step by authorities to fight the opioid epidemic. John Kapoor, Insys' majority shareholder who stepped down as chief executive in January, was charged with engaging in conspiracies to commit racketeering, mail fraud and wire fraud in an indictment filed in federal court in Boston.
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| Annabella Sciorra And Daryl Hannah Say They Feared Telling Their Weinstein Stories Posted: 27 Oct 2017 08:58 PM PDT  Actresses Annabella Sciorra and Daryl Hannah opened up to The New Yorker about their own Harvey Weinstein stories, describing the terror that they say the abuse left them with.
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| Myanmar harvests abandoned Rohingya fields, raising fears for return Posted: 28 Oct 2017 03:44 AM PDT  Myanmar's government began harvesting rice from farmland abandoned by Rohingya in northern Rakhine on Saturday, officials said, a move likely to raise concerns about the prospect of return for more than half a million refugees who have fled communal violence in the area. The border region has been emptied of most of its Muslim residents since late August, when Myanmar's military launched a crackdown on Rohingya rebels that the UN has described as "textbook" ethnic cleansing. Hundreds of villages have been burned to the ground, with more than 600,000 Rohingya -- a stateless group in mainly Buddhist Myanmar -- fleeing across the border for sanctuary in Bangladesh.
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| Your Halloween Costume Will Never Top This Dog Who Went As A Mop Posted: 28 Oct 2017 11:20 AM PDT  If you're still scrambling for the perfect costume this Halloween, you can chill.
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| Former Russian 'troll farm' employee says Hillary Clinton body double was hired to make sex tape Posted: 27 Oct 2017 09:31 AM PDT  The company, according to the first former employee to go on record Alan Baskaev, ran popular Twitter accounts that would promote then-candidate Donald Trump's campaign officials and surrogates. The Internet Research Agency also ran websites in favour of Mr Trump during the election, the Daily Beast reported. Mr Baskaev, now a teacher in Thailand, appeared in an on-camera interview with independent Russian television station TV Rain.
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| 15 Seriously Awesome Steak Sandwiches Posted: 27 Oct 2017 03:28 PM PDT |
