| Don't open 'Pandora's Box' in Middle East, China warns Posted: 17 Jun 2019 09:57 PM PDT  The Chinese government's top diplomat warned on Tuesday that the world should not open a "Pandora's Box" in the Middle East, as he denounced U.S. pressure on Iran and called on it not to drop out of a landmark nuclear deal. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday when two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman. The United States blamed Iran for the attacks, more than a year after President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
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| Earthquake in southern China kills 11 people, injures 122 Posted: 17 Jun 2019 05:53 PM PDT  A strong earthquake that hit Sichuan province in southern China late Monday night killed 11 people and injured 122, the local government said. The Yibin city government posted the casualty toll on its social media accounts Tuesday morning. Xinhua news agency said rescue efforts were underway in the stricken area.
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| Ex-ICE officials criticize Trump's tweet about upcoming deportation sweep Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:55 AM PDT  President Trump issued a public warning Monday night, by tweet, of a mass deportation effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to start next week. His tweet prompted sharp criticism from some former ICE officials.
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| This Tank Could Stop a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Posted: 18 Jun 2019 12:42 AM PDT  The Trump administration's plan to sell tanks, missiles and ground-launched air defenses to Taiwan embodies what might be called a strategic paradigm shift to empower the small island's deterrence posture against an often-threatened Chinese invasion.While much existing discussion centers upon strengthening Taiwanese air, sea and undersea defenses, there also appears to be an unequivocal need for major land defenses. The existing air-sea emphasis is extremely important, yet there are certainly elements of this approach which invite further discussion about the need to provide Taiwan with a strong, armored ground force as well.The proposed $2 billion arms package includes 108 main battle tanks, 250 Stinger anti-air missiles, as well as 409 Javelins and 1,240 TOW anti-tank missiles.Drawing heavily upon a US Pacific presence along with Asian-theater allied support, a maritime-air Taiwan defense strategy has clearly had a deterrence impact in recent years. Part of this ability to keep a Chinese invasion at bay has naturally hinged upon a strong US posture ensuring defense of the island.
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| Far-right UK student jailed over Prince Harry online posts Posted: 18 Jun 2019 04:46 AM PDT  A far-right university student who called Prince Harry a race traitor and created an image of him with a pistol to his head was on Tuesday jailed in Britain for more than four years. Michal Szewczuk, 19, posted the image, which also featured a blood-splattered swastika, on microblogging platform Gab in August last year, months after the prince married mixed-race actress Meghan Markle. Szewczuk, who was jailed for four years and three months, pleaded guilty to two counts of encouraging terrorism and five counts of possession of terrorist material, including the White Resistance Manual and an Al-Qaeda manual.
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| Tucker Carlson Finds It ‘Painful’ to Watch Trans Women Athletes ‘Stealing Athletic Opportunities From Girls’ Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:03 PM PDT  AP/ShutterstockIf history is any judge, Fox News host Tucker Carlson and his producers apparently follow that old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" when it comes to the topic of transgender Americans.Let me first make a full disclosure: I am a transgender woman, and I worked in television news for 30 years, including at two of the networks where Carlson once earned a big fat paycheck. I've also appeared on another Fox News show to discuss the issue of trans athletes. But I don't know the man.Despite that, he seems to have a rather unhealthy interest in women like me, especially for a married guy.Admittedly, this could also be said about Laura Ingraham, The Five, and any number of programs on Fox News Channel. But no show at Fox has been as consistent on the topic of trans Americans as Tucker Carlson Tonight, or as a trans friend of mine calls it, "Tucked Crotch Tonight."Parker Molloy, a transgender writer based in Chicago and editor at large for Media Matters, has been keeping a tally. Following the latest episode she tweeted a thread about this phenomenon she's observed: at least 13 shows on trans issues since Tucker Carlson Tonight premiered in 2016 (she later corrected the total to 14 with help from an eagle-eyed follower).Molloy went on to note, "The segments are virtually identical to each other. 'Are women's sports soon to be a think of the past? Hello, I am a genuinely concerned cable TV host who isn't just doing this because it lets me get a jab in at trans people wink wink.' Sometimes it's not even a new story. He's used the same news pegs for multiple stories."And she created this graphic to illustrate her point, calling it evidence of "a sick obsession of his":Carlson himself would not directly comment on Molloy's accusation of having an "obsession."In a statement to The Daily Beast, Carlson wrote, "Probably because I have three daughters, it's painful to watch biological men steal athletic opportunities from girls. And it's completely bewildering to watch so-called progressives cheer it on. They should be ashamed."The topic of transgender athletes is indeed a controversial one. It's true that even some LGBTQ advocates cannot agree on what the correct solution is, but the International Olympic Committee, NCAA, and many state policies favor inclusion of trans women athletes within certain guidelines on hormone suppression, and allow use of testosterone for trans men. One look at any record book will reveal that transgender competitors simply don't dominate any sport, or event, or win every race or contest.And as for that watchword, "biological men," sorry, Tucker. Everyone is biological, and we all have biology. Therefore, I am a biological woman. The word they don't want to use, of course, is "cisgender," which is derived from the Latin meaning "same." Trans women are not cis women; on that we can agree.As I wrote for Outsports (where I am managing editor), Carlson most recently reported the story of three cisgender high school students in Connecticut, who have filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Connecticut's statewide policy allowing transgender girls to compete with them."Stories about so-called dominant trans athletes are cherry-picked for use in moral panic narratives by far-right outlets," Molloy wrote for Columbia Journalism Review in May 2019.Although I've known Molloy for seven years, we've never met face to face. And while she declined an invitation to comment here, she did confirm for me that she is politically progressive, something that is also clear from her writing.The site where she is editor at large, Media Matters, identifies itself as a "Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Since 2004, it's earned a reputation as a far-left watchdog famous for its daily take-downs of America's number one-rated cable news network. Today's headline: "Trump and Fox News may start a war."Just who is Carlson trying to reach with his anti-transgender rhetoric? Liz Lenz did some digging for CJR in September 2018:"Since Bill O'Reilly was fired from Fox News in October 2017, Carlson has cannibalized O'Reilly's audience. According to Nielsen Media Research, the top-rated markets for the show are Ft. Myers, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Birmingham, Alabama; Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Greenville, South Carolina; and Buffalo, New York. "Only half of these cities went for Trump in the 2016 election, but they are (with the exception of Birmingham and Atlanta) overwhelmingly white and middle class, with an average age of 36. A large part of the jobs held by men in each city are in retail or construction."What's interesting about Carlson's frequency in focusing on transgender issues is how infrequently he's invited someone trans to be a guest, and given them a fair shake.Trans attorney Jillian Weiss accepted an invitation to be on the show in February 2017, and the HuffPost wrote that Carlson immediately insulted her. In April 2017, his first guest for his first show in his current time slot—vacated by MeToo culprit Bill O'Reilly, who got the boot—was Caitlyn Jenner. Variety wrote, "Carlson had Jenner on to make a fool of her." And in August 2018, Salon wrote that Carlson and his conservative guest "spewed hatred" at trans politician Christine Hallquist.About the only time a trans guest didn't get mocked or belittled by Carlson was July 2018, when trans athlete Joanna Harper shocked him into silence. Twice. The world-renowned expert on transgender athletes agreed with Carlson on the subject of trans girls competing in track events. "If I were making the rules, I would allow them to participate in the state meet but not win medals." Carlson was silent for 1.6 seconds, then fell mute again for 1.7 seconds later in the interview.If Carlson is up for it, I'd like a shot at beating Harper's record.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido under pressure over alleged misappropriation of aid funds Posted: 19 Jun 2019 03:15 AM PDT  Venezuela's US-backed opposition on Monday came under increasing scrutiny for a case in which two activists allegedly misappropriated funds designated to help Venezuelan security forces who deserted and crossed into Colombia. Opposition leader Juan Guaido said his diplomatic representative in Colombia will on Tuesday provide Colombian investigators with information about an opposition probe of the case. Guaido, who is trying to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, says anyone found guilty of wrongdoing must be punished. "Dictatorships cover up corruption," Guaido tweeted. "We don't." Still, the alleged theft was a blow to an opposition movement that frequently accuses Maduro and his associates of large-scale corruption, contributing to the economic and humanitarian crisis that Venezuela has endured for years. Maduro was quick to highlight the alleged opposition theft, saying it shows Guaido's camp cannot be trusted. "Corruption isn't new in the opposition," he said. "The evidence is coming out." Hundreds of Venezuelan security forces heeded an opposition call to leave their posts in February, around the time that Guaido tried to deliver U.S.-provided aid from Colombia and Brazil into neighboring Venezuela. The attempt collapsed when Venezuelan forces loyal to Maduro blocked aid trucks and clashes broke out. Activists are accused of pocketing aid cash for regime officials who defected amid clashes on the bridge between Colombia and Venezuela Credit: LUIS ROBAYO/ AFP Many of the Venezuelan security forces who fled into Colombia ended up in limbo, staying in hotels and other lodgings with no means of supporting themselves. Working with Colombian authorities, the Venezuelan opposition set up a plan to provide food and shelter for deserters and any family members who had joined them. Humberto Calderon Berti, the top opposition envoy in Colombia, has said he started an internal investigation into the alleged corruption two months ago after a tip from Colombian intelligence. He will present the results of the probe to the Colombian attorney general's office, according to Guaido. The two suspects in the case were removed from their jobs after the internal investigation started, according to the Venezuelan opposition. They are currently in Colombia. In January, Guaido declared that he was the rightful leader of Venezuela and that Maduro's re-election last year was a sham. The United States led dozens of countries in recognizing Guaido's claim, and imposed sanctions on Venezuela's already deteriorating oil industry. Maduro has defied the pressure, maintaining the support of Venezuela's military leadership as well as allies Cuba and Russia.
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| Bella Thorne slams Whoopi Goldberg's 'awful' views on her nude photo-scandal Posted: 19 Jun 2019 07:26 AM PDT  Bella Thorne is flatly rejecting Whoopi Goldberg's criticisms as "sick and disgusting" after her nude photo scandal.
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| Duterte Stands by China, Doubts Own Fishermen in Sea Collision Posted: 17 Jun 2019 10:51 PM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is standing by China over a collision involving the two nations' boats in the South China Sea, with his spokesman casting doubts on local fishermen's accounts of the incident.In his first public statement about what he described as a "maritime incident," Duterte said China's side should be heard on the collision that resulted in a Philippine vessel carrying 22 fishermen sinking in disputed waters on June 9. The crew were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat and a Philippine Navy ship."It is best investigated. I don't issue a statement now because there's no investigation and no result," Duterte said in speech at a Philippine Navy event on Monday night. "The only thing we can do is wait and give the other party the right to be heard."The Philippines will not escalate tensions with China by sending military ships to the South China Sea following the collision, he added, reiterating his nation isn't ready to go to war with Beijing.At a briefing Tuesday, Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo said there are "circumstances that give doubt to the version" of the Filipino fishermen, including how most of them were asleep when the collision happened."The President doesn't want this to be blown into an international crisis," Panelo said. "We are being careful because there will be repercussions if we make the wrong move."'Passive' PolicyDuterte stuck to his pro-China stance despite calls from the opposition, led by Vice President Leni Robredo, to change his "passive" China policy by actively asserting the nation's rights in the disputed waters. Robredo, in a Facebook post Sunday, also called on Duterte's government to demand the Chinese fishermen's trial in the Philippines.Duterte now has to convince the public that friendly ties with China is still the way to go, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines' Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea."Between the Philippine government and the Chinese government the friendship policy has been set, but this incident has happened and casts doubt on the sincerity and wisdom of it to the Filipino people," Batongbacal said.The Philippines' long-term position in the South China Sea dispute may be weakened if Duterte maintains his pro-Beijing stance after the incident, said Professor Jeffrey Ordaniel, a fellow at Hawaii-based foreign policy research institute Pacific Forum. "The Duterte administration's China policy is unfortunately helping the Chinese pursue their maritime ambitions."Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang described the incident as an "accidental collision" at briefing on Monday, adding that politicizing the collision "is not appropriate." Beijing's embassy in Manila earlier said the Chinese vessel's captain tried to rescue the Philippine fishermen after bumping into their boat, but was afraid of being "besieged" by other Filipino fishing boats.The incident took place near Reed Bank, an area claimed by both Manila and Beijing where there's a pending oil exploration plan by Philippines company PXP Energy Corp.\--With assistance from Dandan Li and Philip J. Heijmans.To contact the reporter on this story: Andreo Calonzo in Manila at acalonzo1@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Cecilia Yap at cyap19@bloomberg.net, Ruth Pollard, Caroline AlexanderFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Photos of the 2020 Ford Explorer Posted: 18 Jun 2019 03:00 AM PDT |
| U.S. Navy says mine fragments suggest Iran behind Gulf tanker attack Posted: 19 Jun 2019 04:14 AM PDT  The United States sought on Wednesday to bolster its case for isolating Iran over its nuclear and regional activities by displaying limpet mine fragments it said came from an oil tanker damaged in an attack last week and saying the ordnance looked Iranian in origin. Separately, a senior U.S. official said U.S. intelligence had confirmed that Iranian vessels had approached the damaged tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, as well as a second one, the Front Altair, prior to explosions that damaged their hulls last week. Iran has denied involvement in explosive strikes on those two tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week and on four tankers off the United Arab Emirates on May 12, both near the Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit for global oil supplies.
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| Waves of Chinese tourists invade North Korea Posted: 17 Jun 2019 09:38 PM PDT  Decades later, the monument is a regular stop for new waves of Chinese going to the North, this time as tourists. Hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the obelisk and its grounds in recent days ahead of a state visit to Pyongyang by Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. An inscription on it lauds "the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, who fought with us on this land and smashed down the common enemy".
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| Russia's 1st 5th Generation Stealth Fighter: Meet the Secret MiG 1.44 Posted: 17 Jun 2019 09:00 PM PDT  Over the prior decade, Russia's foray into fifth-generation jet fighter development has become synonymous with the upcoming Su-57. But the Su-57 was only Russia's second attempt at developing a fifth-generation aircraft, preceded by several decades with an altogether different project.This is the story of the ill-fated MiG 1.44.In 1979, Soviet high command determined that a new generation of fighter aircraft was needed to ensure the competitiveness of the Soviet Air Force (VVS) into the 1990's and beyond. The timing could not have been more apt; it was only several years later that the US air force began researching and developing what would become the highly capable F-22 fighter.The project, which became known as MFI or "Multifunctional Frontline Fighter," established a set of core design criteria roughly corresponding with the Soviet and early Russian understanding of what makes a fifth-generation fighter: supermaneuverability, supercruise capability (sustained supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners), low radar cross-section, integrated avionics system, and substantially improved landing/takeoff capability.
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| McConnell Rejects Possibility of Slavery Reparations Posted: 18 Jun 2019 02:17 PM PDT  Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he is opposed to the idea of authorizing reparations for the descendants of slaves brought to the U.S. against their will."I don't think reparations for something that happened 150 years ago, for whom none of us currently living are responsible, is a good idea," McConnell said, before going on to argue that the U.S. has taken other steps to atone for the "original sin of slavery.""We've tried to deal with our original sin of slavery by fighting a civil war, passing landmark civil-rights legislation," he said. "We've elected an African American president. I think we are always a work in progress in this country, but no one alive currently was responsible for [slavery] and I don't think we should be trying to figure out how to compensate for it."McConnell's comments came ahead of a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Wednesday meant to discuss the possibility of appointing a commission to study the question and recommend what, if "any form of apology and compensation" should be offered to the descendants of slaves.Former representative John Conyers had introduced a bill calling for the establishment of such a commission every year for three decades, to no avail. But amid renewed discussion among Democrats of the question of reparations, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee introduced the bill again this year."It is tragic, but it is real that we've seen an uptick in racial incidences -- white supremacy, white nationalism," Jackson Lee said this week. "And so the question of slavery, frankly, has never been addressed, particularly from the institutional governmental perspective."Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signaled her support for a commission to study the possibility of reparations, calling it "one of the things that we can do not only just in terms of trying to make up for a horrible, sinful thing that happened in our country in terms of slavery, but for our country to live up to who we think we are."
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| Investigators crack cold case murder of South Dakota woman Posted: 18 Jun 2019 12:55 PM PDT  The murder of a pharmacist who was raped and strangled in her home in a South Dakota city more than half a century ago has been solved with the use of DNA technology and genealogy databases, police said. Investigators believe Eugene Carroll Field killed 60-year-old Gwen Miller in 1968 when he was a 25-year-old living in Rapid City, Detective Wayne Keefe said at a news conference Monday. It is "a little surreal" to finally identify the killer after 51 years and up to 5,000 hours of work, Keefe said.
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| Boeing signs first deal for 737 Max jet since deadly crashes Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:35 AM PDT  Boeing is selling its 737 Max planes again. The company announced at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday that International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and other carriers, signed a letter of intent for 200 Boeing 737 aircraft. Boeing said it's the first sale of the jetliner since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max in March.
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| Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft Join Forces to Oppose Trump Tariff Posted: 19 Jun 2019 01:00 PM PDT ![Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft Join Forces to Oppose Trump Tariff]( "Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft Join Forces to Oppose Trump Tariff") (Bloomberg) -- Dell Technologies Inc., HP Inc., Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are joining forces to oppose President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on laptop computers and tablets among $300 billion in Chinese goods targeted for duties.The companies submitted joint comments opposing the tariff escalation, saying it would hurt consumer products and industry, while failing to address China's trade practices. The tariffs are poised to hit during the peak holiday and back-to-school sales period, they said."The tariffs will harm U.S. technology leaders, hindering their ability to innovate and compete in a global marketplace," the companies said in comments posted online.Dell, HP, and Microsoft said they account for about half of the notebooks and detachable tablets sold in the U.S. Prices for laptops and tablets will increase by at least 19% -- about $120 for the average retail price of a laptop -- if the proposed tariffs are implemented, according to a study released this week by the Consumer Technology Association.The companies said they spent a collective $35 billion on research and development in 2018 alone, and tariff costs would divert resources from innovation while providing "a windfall" to manufacturers based outside the U.S. that are less dependent on American sales.The Trump administration is considering public comments on the proposed duties and hearing testimony from more than 300 U.S. companies and trade groups through June 25. The tariffs could be imposed after a rebuttal period ends July 2.The U.S. and China said their presidents will meet in Japan next week to relaunch trade talks after a month-long stalemate.To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Niquette in Columbus at mniquette@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net, Sarah McGregor, Robert JamesonFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Popular new $46 true wireless earbuds are only $30 with this special coupon Posted: 18 Jun 2019 06:03 AM PDT ![Popular new $46 true wireless earbuds are only $30 with this special coupon]( "Popular new $46 true wireless earbuds are only $30 with this special coupon") Before you go and spend $159 on Apple's new AirPods 2 earbuds, there's a great new pair from a rival company that you should know about. The TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 True Wireless Earbuds offer a better design than AirPods, with silicone tips that isolate sound as well as better water-resistance thanks to the IPX7 rating. They're a bargain at $46, but the special coupon code WSCZS4YF slashes the price all the way down to $29.99! Definitely get a pair while they're down to their lowest price ever -- you'll be glad you did.Here are the highlights from the product page: * Extended playtime: true wireless ear buds that last over 3 hours on a full charge; 3350mAh case can recharge the ear buds up to 40 times to give you 120H of extra playtime, doubles as a power bank * User-friendly: remove ear buds from the charging Pod to auto turn on and connect to your last Device, Disconnects when returned; One touch control for streamlined user interface * Uninterrupted enjoyment: Bluetooth 5. 0 for no signal loss or music dropouts to retain high quality audio within 10M/ 33ft operational range; straightforward to pair with any Device * For all occasions: with a built-in mica in each ear bud, you can utilize both single/Twin mode; use a single ear bud for working or use the pair to enjoy music alone or Share with a loved one * Durable & Water-Resistant: IPX7 waterproof build that keeps up with you during strenuous workouts, lightweight And compact construction to survive every aspect of daily life
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| Qatar sends technical experts to Israel, eyeing new Gaza power line Posted: 18 Jun 2019 02:43 AM PDT  GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Qatari technical delegation held talks in Israel and the Gaza Strip this week about helping pay for a proposed new power line between them, officials on both sides said on Tuesday, marking a potential expansion of Doha's aid efforts for Palestinians. Qatar has in recent years funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into relief projects in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which it views as helping stave off privation and fighting with Israel. The intervention is approved by Israel but has gone largely unacknowledged by rightist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, along with U.S.-allied Arab leaders, has cold-shouldered Doha for its ties to Iran and Islamist groups like Hamas.
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| Trump kicks off new campaign with airing of old grievances Posted: 18 Jun 2019 07:02 PM PDT  President Trump stuck to his old themes and complaints in his campaign "kickoff" speech in Orlando on Tuesday night. He railed against "fake news," "socialism," investigations into his administration, the Democrats running to replace him, former President Barack Obama and the Clinton family in the speech, which lasted well over an hour.
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| The migrants risking it all on the deadly Rio Grande Posted: 18 Jun 2019 03:37 AM PDT  The 19-year-old pregnant migrant wades towards the US shore, deep enough in the Rio Grande for waves to splash against her waist. Pushing through the river's current, and mindful of an alligator lingering upriver, she guides her friend's crying 10-year-old boy towards a US border-patrol rescue boat. As the boat carries them on the final leg of their journey to the United States from Honduras, the young woman waves back to a group on Mexico's riverbank cheering her rescue.The day before, border-patrol agents at the Eagle Pass river crossing in South Texas had found the body of a man too decomposed to be easily identified. A couple of days earlier, a video of a man desperately trying to swim against the current before going limp and sinking circulated in Mexican news media. And in early May, border-patrol agents at Eagle Pass pulled the body of a 10-month-old baby from the Rio Grande after a raft carrying nine migrants overturned. Only five survived."The sad moments are the deaths. Unfortunately, we've seen some of those," says Bryan Kemmett, the border-patrol agent in charge of Eagle Pass, a town of 29,000 about an hour from the larger Del Rio. "The more troubling ones, the ones more recently, are the small infants. When you see the small infant and you hear the infant dying, you think about your own children."Migrants have for years traversed the Rio Grande on makeshift rafts to cross illegally into the United States. But facing a surge of families from Central America, border-patrol agents are now pulling dozens of migrants, including young children, from the harsh current of the river almost every day. President Donald Trump's repeated threats and attempts to limit immigration have not deterred migrants. The US Customs and Border Protection agency took more than 144,200 into custody in May, the highest monthly total in 13 years.Policies that separated migrant children from their parents, forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their day in court and detained teenagers in camps likened to juvenile prisons have done little to stem the immigration flow. So far in the current federal fiscal year, which began on 1 October, border-patrol agents have rescued at least 315 migrants from a 209-mile stretch of the Rio Grande – up from 12 migrants the year before.Earlier this month, a 40-year-old migrant woman collapsed at the Eagle Pass station about 30 minutes after crossing the river. She was declared dead at a hospital, and the authorities were investigating the cause of her death.Migrants who are interviewed for this article at Eagle Pass say they are well aware of the risks. But they also say they were convinced by human smugglers and by other migrants that crossing the Rio Grande, which can take about five to 10 minutes, was the fastest and least complicated way to start their requests for asylum, given the Trump administration's clampdown at legal ports of entry."The whole world crosses through the river," says Yevy Leiva, 28, who steered a raft across the Rio Grande with his son and two other migrants. Nine days later, he waits in a shelter in Del Rio, packed with scores of other migrants, for a bus to Dallas to stay with friends. Only migrants who show visible distress or who are travelling with a child are rescued by border-patrol agents. And while far more migrants trying to slip into the United States die on land – from dehydration or other dangers in the desert and brush – the number of deaths in the Rio Grande is rising at an alarming rate.Over the past two fiscal years, at least 11 people have drowned in the Del Rio sector of the Rio Grande. By comparison, the border patrol recovered the remains of four people from the river from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2017.Randy Davis, the acting deputy chief patrol agent of the border patrol for the Del Rio sector, blames the deluge of migrants on the human smugglers who are increasingly exploiting this stretch of the Rio Grande as a comparatively untapped path into the United States.Since 1 October, border-patrol agents in the Del Rio sector have arrested nearly 18,000 migrant family members – compared with 1,387 during the first eight months of fiscal 2018. Agents in the sector have also rescued nearly three times as many migrants in the water than agents in other sectors along the border with Mexico, taken together.Some of them were infants who had to be flown to a hospital in San Antonio after they nearly drowned, Kemmett says. Davis says he expects to find more bodies. "There have been hundreds and hundreds of rescues," Davis says. "I'm trying to keep them all straight in my mind. I would suspect there are other individuals out there that were never reported missing that we will eventually recover at some point in the future."The US border patrol has issued warnings in Mexico about the dangers of crossing the Rio Grande, and Kemmett says migrants have been urged to at least wear life jackets before making the attempt. He says the river's levels have risen about 3ft because of a water release from a nearby hydroelectric dam and excessive rainfall. While the Rio Grande is shallow in some areas, other parts dip without warning to a depth of 8ft. Debris ricochets along the riverbed, and the banks are littered with inflatable tubes and Styrofoam noodles that migrants use to stay afloat.The river levels are expected to rise again soon and the dam releases to irrigate crops in and around Eagle Pass and to provide electricity for the town. Underscoring the dangers to the migrants, an alligator hid among river weeds one afternoon last month, floating just high enough to show the spikes along its back."They're navigating the currents, they're navigating the river itself, and now you have alligators," says Kemmett, a 24-year veteran of the border patrol. "An alligator is not going to know the difference between a child and a chicken, or any other small animal." Migrants often head to the Rio Grande with one change of clothes as well as their identification and other documents in a plastic bag. After crossing successfully, some change into the dry clothes before they are taken to a border-patrol facility to be processed.> They're navigating the currents, they're navigating the river itself, and now you have alligatorsWalking along the riverbank in Eagle Pass, Kemmett stops to examine a shirt left in the weeds near the water. It belonged to a baby. "We're seeing a lot of families," he says. "But within those families, we're seeing more and more younger infants. Trying to cross the river with a 2-month-old strapped to your chest or your back is not easy.""It's not easy to begin with," Kemmett says, "but now you're trying to hold on to your child. And the desperation and the panic gets in there, and then they start to struggle." Once they cross the Rio Grande and touch US soil, the migrants are taken into custody by the border patrol. They are processed in centres that were built to detain migrants before they were deported.But the sheer number of incoming migrants – many of whom are seeking asylum and are travelling with children who, by US law, cannot be detained for more than 20 days – has created an overwhelming backlog in cases and crowding at the border processing facilities. As a result, the vast majority of migrants who illegally enter the United States are told to report to court at a later date and are released. From there, the migrants search out relatives or other places to stay while their cases wind their way through immigration court.Last month, the Trump administration began flying migrants from overcrowded centres elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to Del Rio to be processed. But agents in Del Rio say the processing facility there was also overcapacity; earlier this month, the authorities there built a tent city to house migrants. Storage areas that had been used for border-patrol equipment in Del Rio "are now storing baby formula, diapers, additional extra space for blankets, heat blankets they can wrap up in", Davis says. Most of the migrants who are caught by the border patrol come to the United States to escape poverty in their home nations, Kemmett says, and do not appear to be the criminals that Trump has warned of in his campaign to limit immigration. Agents in Del Rio say there is no sign that the surge of migrant families will decline.Kemmett says the border-patrol agents he oversees are becoming "battle fatigued". He also questions why migrants would knowingly put their children in that type of danger in attempting the perilous journey to the United States.For some of the immigrants, it is the only way to protect their families. Barefoot and balancing his 8-year-old daughter on his shoulders, Angel Gabriel, 39, crosses the Rio Grande and into Eagle Pass on a hot afternoon.He steadies his 32-year-old wife as they walk into the river current; she tightly grips their barefoot 16-year-old son. Border-patrol agents meet the family in the middle of the river and bring them to land. As soon as agents finish patting down Gabriel to ensure he is not carrying weapons or drugs, he rushes to his family members and embraces them. All four of them weep."Truly thankful," Gabriel says through tears as he sits in a border-patrol van with his family. He says they left Honduras after being attacked. "Thankful to the power of the United States that they helped us get out," Gabriel says. "I feel thankful that my family is OK."A few hours earlier, a pregnant Honduran woman took her first steps on US soil. She had briefly reconsidered crossing the Rio Grande after seeing pictures on Facebook a day earlier of an alligator in the river. But turning her head, she revealed a bruised jaw – the evidence of what she said was an attack by her domestic partner in Honduras.The woman, who said she was to give birth in about a week, wanted to apply for asylum in the United States and hoped to create a good life for her soon-to-be-born son. "The life with my partner was a risk," she said as she looked at the river. "So this is nothing compared to that."© New York Times
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| New Jersey fishermen spot shark Posted: 19 Jun 2019 03:49 AM PDT  A group of fishermen got the thrill of a lifetime when a 16-foot great white shark paid them a visit. ABC News' Will Ganss has the real life 'Jaws' moment.
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| Pentagon sending 1,000 U.S. troops to Middle East after oil tanker attacks Posted: 18 Jun 2019 06:16 AM PDT  Last week, the Trump administration accused Tehran of being responsible for an explosion that set two oil tankers on fire off the coast of Iran.
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| View Photos of the 2020 Lexus GX Posted: 18 Jun 2019 03:00 AM PDT |
| Boeing's troubled 737 MAX gets huge vote of confidence from IAG Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:16 AM PDT  US aircraft giant Boeing got a welcome vote of confidence in its beleaguered 737 MAX plane on Tuesday when International Airlines Group, owner of British Airways, said it wanted to buy 200 of the planes. It was a coup for Boeing since up to now IAG has been a longtime client of Airbus for its single-aisle jets, used on some of its most popular routes. "We have every confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will make a successful return to service in the coming months having received approval from the regulators," IAG's chief Willie Walsh said in a statement.
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| Venezuela's misery doesn't even spare the dead in Maracaibo Posted: 18 Jun 2019 04:24 AM PDT  Thieves have broken into some of the vaults and coffins in El Cuadrado cemetery since late last year, stealing ornaments and sometimes items from corpses as the country sinks to new depths of deprivation. "Starting eight months ago, they even took the gold teeth of the dead," said José Antonio Ferrer, who is in charge of the cemetery, where a prominent doctor, a university director and other local luminaries are buried. Much of Venezuela is in a state of decay and abandonment, brought on by shortages of things that people need the most: cash, food, water, medicine, power, gasoline.
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| Xi firmly backs Pyongyang's effort to solve Korea Peninsula issues: Rodong Sinmun Posted: 18 Jun 2019 04:32 PM PDT  Chinese President Xi Jinping said in an op-ed in North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday that China supports North Korea's "correct direction" in politically resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula. The front-page op-ed is an honor rarely granted to foreign leaders and comes a day before Xi is set to visit Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, making him the first Chinese leader to visit in 14 years. The visit is a sorely needed show of support for Kim, whose campaign of diplomatic outreach and drive to rebuild the economy has suffered since the collapse of the Hanoi summit between North Korea's Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in February.
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| Trump's 2020 campaign launch: the key takeaways Posted: 18 Jun 2019 07:52 PM PDT  After two and a half years in office, Trump remains fixated on the same grievances – and successesDonald Trump launched his 2016 presidential campaign on 16 June 2015, by descending an escalator in front of a small crowd in Trump Tower. Four years on, he launched his 2020 pitch to be re-elected to the White House to 20,000 people at Orlando's Amway Center on a humid, rainy Florida night.Trump is bidding for a second term at a time when the economy is doing well and unemployment is at its lowest rate for half a century. But he heads into the campaign as a historically unpopular president beset by scandal and having shattered many presidential norms. Just 42.5% of Americans approve of Trump's performance, while 53.1% disapprove.Here are the key takeaways: Socialism will be front and center in 2020Mike Pence introduced Trump, and the vice-president used his speech to hammer away at the Democrats, repeatedly accusing them of being "socialists"."It was freedom, not socialism, that ended slavery [and] won two wars," Pence said. Make of that what you will, but it's a line that Republicans seem determined to hammer home as they seek to paint Democrats as unhinged and even vaguely communist. In his own speech, Trump said Americans don't believe in socialism, "they believe in freedom". We'll be hearing that false equivalence a lot on the road to November 2020. A big crowd in Orlando … but early departuresTrump had said he would fill the Amway Center, which has a capacity of a little under 20,000, and fill it he did. The crowd cheered wildly when he emerged, and his largest applause lines – criticizing the press, making false claims about wall-building – got big cheers. But Trump spoke for almost an hour and a half, and well before then some people began to trickle out. It would be unwise to read too much into the early departures – it was a long, hot day all round – but for a president whose strength comes from personal magnetism, seeing people leave early isn't a great sign. Trump has no plans to turn forward the clockMuch of this speech could have been given two years ago – and some parts four years ago. Launching his re-election campaign in theory gave Trump a chance for a fresh start, and to set new goals for a second term. Instead he seemed happiest when he was discussing Hillary Clinton's emails – inspiring the "Lock her up!" chant – and talking about his 2016 victory. The address showed that after two and a half years in office, Trump remains fixated on his same grievances – and successes. It's the economy …Trump's touting of the economy's success brought big cheers and by most measures, the US economy is doing well. Unemployment is low, and GDP growth – seen as one of the best indicators of an economy's health – is high. Of course, Trump being Trump, when he did discuss the economy, he falsely claimed the US has the lowest unemployment rate in the history of the country and exaggerated GDP growth. But Trump also got sidetracked from talking up his economic successes (whether they are attributable to him or not), and reverted to common applause lines and attacks. All the warm-up speakers before Trump focused on the economy, and Trump's campaign strategists would probably prefer him to do the same. Immigration will remain an issue The president attacked Democrats as "unhinged" and blamed their inaction for the situation at the border, claiming that undocumented immigrants are "pouring in". He also attacked Democrats over sanctuary cities and – as one would expect – brought up the border wall, claiming 400 miles of it will be built by the end of next year. The problem is most of that is only going to replacing existing wall. But will his supporters care? Trump will also run against the mediaTheir names might not be on any ballot but it was clear that Trump intends to run against America's journalists and media organizations as much as any Democrat. He once again singled out the press pen in the middle of the stadium, pointing them out to the crowd, who roundly booed them and chanted "CNN sucks"."That is a lot of fake news back there," Trump said
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| 'Your Species Isn't Known for Moving Quickly.' Jon Stewart Roasts Mitch McConnell Over 9/11 Bill on The Late Show Posted: 18 Jun 2019 07:35 AM PDT  Stewart went on The Late Show to support the people he calls "the first heroes."
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| New leak shows us how the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Pro will compare Posted: 18 Jun 2019 06:26 AM PDT  The Galaxy Note 10 series will be announced in about 2 months, which means we'll see plenty of new leaks as we get closer to the release date. The new Note will come in two sizes and each one will have a 5G version, which means you're going to have plenty of choices. But the phones will both share the same design and specs, which means you'll be getting the same overall experience — the only big differences will concern screen and battery sizes, of course. The latest batch of alleged Note 10 accessories seem to reinforce the leaks that we saw in previous weeks. The Note 10 and Note 10 Pro will have an all-screen design like the Galaxy S10, but the new Infinity-O display will be a twist on the one Samsung introduced on its Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e. Samsung will stick to Infinity-O screens for this flagship series, but the Galaxy Note 10's hole punch display will have only a single-lens selfie camera placed in the middle of the screen. Posted on Weibo initially, the following image shows alleged screen protectors for the smaller Note 10 and the bigger Note 10 Pro: https://twitter.com/Samsung_News_/status/1140876189327925248?s=19 Like previous leaks, these accessories indicate the phones will have very slim top and bottom bezels, as well as curved edges. A different Samsung insider shared new Galaxy Note 10 images that show what appear to be screen protectors for the upcoming phones: https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1140902986404597760 The following image also teases the Note 10's two different sizes: https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1140905271981531137 Again, we're looking at screen protectors that seem to feature big holes near the bottom of the screen that would probably fit the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. If they seem familiar, that's because we saw similar screen protectors for the Galaxy S10 ahead of the phone's arrival. At the time, those leaks sparked a debate about the sensor's functionality, with some people claiming only certain screen protectors would support it. Samsung cleared the air after the S10 launched, explaining that accessory makers would have to adhere to certain standards when making Galaxy S10 screen protectors. The same probably goes for the new Note phones.
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| Witness: Navy SEAL called dead prisoner an 'ISIS dirtbag' Posted: 19 Jun 2019 04:22 PM PDT  A Navy SEAL charged with killing a captive teenage militant in his care had told fellow troops that if they encountered a wounded enemy, he wanted medics to know how "to nurse him to death," a former comrade testified Wednesday. When a radio call announced an Islamic State prisoner was wounded on May 3, 2017, Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher replied: "Don't touch him, he's all mine," Dylan Dille told jurors in a military courtroom. When Iraqi forces delivered the captive to a SEAL compound in Mosul, he was on the hood of a Humvee and fading in an out of consciousness with only a minor leg wound visible.
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| Huge iPhone X Plus Looks Like the One to Beat Posted: 19 Jun 2019 07:35 AM PDT  Apple is betting that its biggest upcoming iPhone might just prove to be the most popular.Credit: Tom's GuideThe tech giant has ordered 45 million 6.5-inch OLED panels and 25 million 5.8-inch OLED panels, according to a report from Korean news outlet The Bell. Apple has also placed an order for 30 million 6.1-inch LCD panels for a cheaper version of its iPhone X, according to the report, which was earlier discovered by 9to5Mac.While the orders don't necessarily translate to sales predictions and can change over time, if they're accurate, it would suggest that Apple believes its iPhone X Plus will be the most popular version of all the handsets it releases this year. It also suggests that the iPhone X follow-up will be its least-popular model.Rumors have been swirling for months that Apple is working on three new iPhones for this year. The base model is expected to be a 6.1-inch LCD-based handset that will feature an iPhone X-like design and come with the most affordable price tag of the bunch. Apple's iPhone X, which is equipped with a 5.8-inch screen, is also getting a refresh, according to reports. And Apple will complement those handsets with the 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus, which will come with the same design as the iPhone X, but have a much larger screen.MORE: Case Maker Just Leaked the iPhone of Our DreamsThere had been speculation that Apple would sell more LCD models this year than any other. After all, the company's iPhone X has its biggest screen of all time and its highest price tag but isn't as popular as the cheaper iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Some had suggested the same might happen with this year's slate of iPhones.But Apple appears to be basing its decision on older iPhone launches that saw the larger versions attract more shoppers than the smaller and cheaper models. Apple ostensibly believes that customers will follow the same path with the iPhone Xs this year and opt for a larger version if it's available.Of course, price also matters here. And it's believed that Apple will keep all of its models under the $1,000 mark to start, with the iPhone X going for $899 and iPhone X Plus retailing for $999. The base LCD model will be less, but exactly how cheap is unknown. See also : Best iPhone X Alternatives * The Most Anticipated Smartphones - New Phones Coming Out * The Best iOS Apps You're Not Using (But Should Be) * 9 New iOS 12 Features That Make Your iPhone Better
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| Photos of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S Coupe Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:00 AM PDT |
| Hong Kong lawmakers grill security chief over protest violence Posted: 19 Jun 2019 03:52 AM PDT  Members of Hong Kong's legislature met Wednesday for the first time since the largest anti-government protest in the city's history, with many opposition lawmakers slamming the pro-Beijing administration's handling of the crisis. Hong Kong has been shaken by a series of massive demonstrations against a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, and the city's police force has been criticised for using excessive force to disperse protesters. Videos of police beating unarmed protesters went viral and sparked public anger, and the tactics were widely condemned.
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| IRGC chief says Iran's ballistic missiles capable of hitting 'carriers in the sea' Posted: 18 Jun 2019 09:16 AM PDT ![IRGC chief says Iran's ballistic missiles capable of hitting 'carriers in the sea']( "IRGC chief says Iran's ballistic missiles capable of hitting 'carriers in the sea'") The commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said on Tuesday that Iran's ballistic missiles were capable of hitting "carriers in the sea" with great precision. "These missiles can hit with great precision carriers in the sea ... These missiles are domestically produced and are difficult to intercept and hit with other missiles," Brigadier General Hossein Salami said in a televised speech.
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| Do Trump's Polls Matter? Posted: 18 Jun 2019 09:29 AM PDT  This evening President Donald Trump will officially launch his reelection campaign at a rally in Orlando, Florida. The campaign's first hiccup occurred before it even began, when a leak (a ubiquitous problem for this administration) over the weekend of internal poll numbers has dampened enthusiasm from supporters.From March 15 to March 28, the nascent campaign conducted polling in seventeen states using multiple possible Democratic nominees, according to ABC News. Not every state poll was leaked, and all of the polls show President Trump facing former Vice President Joe Biden, who's been the frontrunner since his announcement in late April.The Trump campaign's polling shows Biden beating the incumbent by double digits in crucial states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The numbers show Biden leading Trump by seven points in Florida, the state where the president has spent the most time outside the beltway since his inauguration. In Texas, a requirement for any Republican victory in the Electoral College, Trump beats Biden by only two points.
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| Sen. Rand Paul: It's a mistake to keep ramping things up in the Middle East Posted: 18 Jun 2019 01:58 PM PDT  Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Rand Paul on U.S. sending additional troops to Middle East amid tensions with Iran.
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| Today’s best deals: Huge Anker blowout, Philips Hue sale, $8 wireless charger, $7 Alexa smart plugs, more Posted: 19 Jun 2019 07:35 AM PDT  We hope you're strapped in because today's roundup of the best daily deals we could find is definitely a wild ride! Highlights include Alexa and Google enabled Wi-Fi smart plugs for only $6.64 a piece when you buy a 4-pack and clip the 8% coupon, a popular fast wireless charger for just $8.49, $50 Philips Hue A19 Multi-Color LED Smart Bulbs for as little as $37 a piece (check the "other sellers" section), the $80 Philips Hue LightStrip Plus for $63.99, Philips Hue White A19 Bulbs for $12.49 a piece, the lowest price we've seen on the Alexa enabled Roomba 690 since Black Friday, a top-rated Wi-Fi range extender for only $16.99, Anker USB-C cables for $8.15, Anker Lightning Cables for $11.99, Super Mario Maker 2 for the Nintendo Switch for only $51.99 if you're a Prime member and you preorder now, and plenty more. Check out all of today's top deals below.
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| Xiaomi Eyes $725 Million Expansion to Stave Off Huawei in China Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:55 PM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- Xiaomi Corp. aims to spend an additional 5 billion yuan ($725 million) expanding its Chinese retail network over the next three years, anticipating a re-doubled effort by Huawei Technologies Co. to grow its domestic market share.The smartphone maker will spend the money on expanding distribution channels and on reward programs for its partners and sales employees, a person familiar with the matter said, citing an internal meeting convened by billionaire co-founder Lei Jun Tuesday. That spending comes on top of an existing budget for building up its retail operations. Chinese media outlet Caixin reported on the investment earlier.Huawei is said to be preparing for a drop in international smartphone shipments of 40% to 60% as the Trump administration bars its access to American components and software. That means Google will cut off popular apps like YouTube and stop providing updates for the Android system that powers all of Huawei's devices abroad. It wants to grab as much as half of the smartphone market in China in 2019 to offset that decline overseas, people familiar with the matter have said, citing internal discussions about year-end goals. It hopes to get there also by investing in marketing and expanding distribution channels.Xiaomi aims to become the country's top vendor but its priority is to at least become No. 3, the person said, asking not to be identified discussing internal goals. The company currently ranks fourth. It sees the roll-out of next-generation 5G mobile networks in coming years as a golden opportunity to boost sales on its home turf, the person added.Hong Kong-listed Xiaomi now commands about 12% of the Chinese smartphone market versus Huawei's 34%, Canalys estimates. Its shipments slid 13% in the first quarter while its rivals' soared 41%, the research outfit estimated.To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Gao Yuan in Beijing at ygao199@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at pelstrom@bloomberg.net, Edwin Chan, Colum MurphyFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Attorney: Officer attacked without warning in Costco Posted: 17 Jun 2019 09:28 PM PDT  The off-duty officer who shot and killed a man inside a Southern California Costco last week was attacked without warning as he held his toddler son, the policeman's attorney said Monday. Attorney David Winslow said his client — a Los Angeles Police Department officer whom he wouldn't name — was struck from behind without a word being spoken Friday night as he fed his son samples of teriyaki chicken in the warehouse store in Corona, southeast of Los Angeles. The officer shot and killed French, 32, of Riverside, and critically wounded French's parents.
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| The 2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe Is Handsome and Spacious Posted: 18 Jun 2019 03:01 PM PDT  The four-door version of BMW's top coupe will be the first 8-series available in the U.S. with an inline six-cylinder engine.
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| UN chief calls on Russia, Turkey to 'stabilize' Syrian province Posted: 18 Jun 2019 11:39 AM PDT  UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Russia and Turkey Tuesday to "stabilize the situation" in the Syrian province of Idlib, rocked by intense fighting between pro-government and jihadist-led forces. "I am deeply concerned about the escalation of the fighting in Idlib and the situation is specially dangerous given the involvement of an increased number of actors.
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| Apple explores moving 15-30% of production capacity from China: Nikkei Posted: 19 Jun 2019 02:13 AM PDT  Apple's request was a result of the extended Sino-U.S. trade dispute, but a trade resolution will not lead to a change in the company's decision, Nikkei said, citing multiple sources. The iPhone maker has decided the risks of depending heavily on manufacturing in China are too great and even rising, it said. Earlier this month, credit rating agency Fitch said it views Apple, Dell Technologies Inc and HP Inc as potential blacklist candidates if China blacklists U.S. companies in retaliation for restrictions on Huawei.
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| War vet Sen. Duckworth on Trump draft deferments: ‘I'm sorry, but it's baloney’ Posted: 18 Jun 2019 06:28 AM PDT  He's stealing from the military," Sen. Duckworth told the Yahoo News show "Through Her Eyes." "He's sending troops to the border to sit around in the desert," she added. Sen. Duckworth was not impressed. "He likes the idea of war. "He's been a warmonger for a very long time.
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| Mohammed Morsi swiftly buried after being denied public funeral in hometown Posted: 18 Jun 2019 05:11 AM PDT  Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi was buried this morning at a small family ceremony in Cairo after authorities refused permission for a burial in his home province of Sharqiya. Morsi, who was deposed in a 2013 military coup after becoming the nation's first democratically elected president, collapsed and died in court on Monday evening after suffering a fatal heart attack. He was facing several long-running prosecutions stemming from his year-long reign. The 67-year-old was buried at 5am on Tuesday next to the graves of other leaders of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The ceremony took place with just five family members in attendance. "The state wants to avoid this becoming a catalyst for any kind of mobilisation," said Tim Kaldas of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East politics. "That was the point of burying him so quickly, and in a place that's harder to turn into a pilgrimage site." Mohammed Morsi pictured here in 2014 Credit: Ahmed Almalky/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The interior ministry declared a state of emergency in Sharqiya following Morsi's death and there was increased security around the Cairo prison where he was held on Monday evening. By Tuesday, however, the police presence appeared normal. The Muslim Brotherhood responded to Morsi's death with a call for protests at Egyptian embassies around the world. But the likelihood of street protests in Egypt itself is low given a 2013 law requires permits for any demonstration and the Muslim Brotherhood, as a banned organisation, cannot apply. Human rights organisations have accused the Egyptian authorities of keeping Morsi in inhumane conditions in prison and refusing him treatment for diabetes. The former president was held in solitary confinement for most of his six years in prison, which amounts to torture under international standards. "Egyptian authorities have shamefully and unlawfully treated former President Morsi for years while in detention, denying him not only due process rights but also critical access to medical care," said Michael Page of Human Rights Watch. Rabbi'ah | What is it? The government has promised an investigation into Morsi's death, but experts say such internal reviews rarely yield results. "It's a delaying tactic until the story ceases to be newsworthy and they hope people will lose interest," Mr Kaldas told The Telegraph. "The state has sought to erase [Morsi] as they have sought to erase the entire revolution, and to some extent they might succeed." Morsi's death was not featured on the front pages of Egypt's tightly state-controlled media. Where stories did appear, they did not refer to him as a former president of the country.
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