| France suggests sanctions could be reimposed if Iran reneges on deal Posted: 07 May 2019 04:05 PM PDT  The U.S. military said on Tuesday that B-52 bombers would be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are "clear indications" of threats from Iran to U.S. forces there. Iran dismissed announcement of a U.S. aircraft carrier deployment as old news, recycled for psychological warfare, and said it would soon announce plans to roll back some of its commitments under the 2015 deal. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Iran's neighbor Iraq on Tuesday and met with the Iraqi prime minister after telling reporters Washington was concerned about Iraqi sovereignty because of increasing Iranian activity.
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| Top Republican McConnell: 'Case closed' on Trump-Russia probe Posted: 07 May 2019 09:52 AM PDT  Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the US Congress, said Tuesday it was "case closed" regarding the special counsel's report on Russian interference and urged Democrats to drop their investigations of President Donald Trump. The Senate majority leader laid out his argument for turning from "unhinged partisanship" and paralysis after a 2016 election that did not go Democrats' way to cooperating on legislation now that the two-year investigation has run its course. Democrats "told everyone there had been a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign, yet on this special question, the special counsel's finding is case closed," McConnell said in a floor speech.
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| Colorado school shooting updates: Victim identified, heroes emerge. Here's what we know Posted: 08 May 2019 02:07 PM PDT  One student is dead and eight others injured after two students opened fire at a suburban Denver STEM school on Tuesday. Here's the latest news.
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| Kamala Harris' bill seeks to ease burden on public defenders Posted: 08 May 2019 02:13 AM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California is introducing legislation, including a $250 million grant program, to ease the burden on public defenders around the country.
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| Apple’s new iPhone 11R design just leaked for the first time Posted: 08 May 2019 06:26 AM PDT  Apple's next-generation iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max smartphones have been leaking like crazy lately. We've gotten all sorts of detail from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the most accurate Apple insider in the world, and it's obviously safe to say that the info he shared is accurate. Then we saw the actual designs leak courtesy of CAD files that were stolen from the Foxconn factory where Apple's new iPhone models will be manufactured. These new renders basically confirmed everything we had heard, that the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max will look just like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, but they'll have a new triple-lens camera arrays on the back of each phone.The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max are Apple's flagship smartphones for 2019, so they're obviously the most talked about models right now. When it comes to popularity and sales, however, it's practically guaranteed that the third new 2019 iPhone model will top both of the flagships. The iPhone 11R, or whatever Apple ends up calling it, is expected to be priced in line with the current iPhone XR, just as Apple's iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max are seen carrying the same price tags as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max do now. With pricing that soars as high as $1,500, it's no wonder that the iPhone XR outsells its flagship counterparts.Just like the iPhone 11 and 11 Max, the iPhone 11R will apparently also get a minor design refresh in 2019. And now, a new leak seemingly shows us Apple's final iPhone 11R design for the first time.Twitter user OnLeaks is the often the source of unreleased smartphone renders based on CAD files that have been stolen from computers at Foxconn's factory. Since they're based on files that come straight from the entity tasked with building all of these smartphones, these renders almost always end up being accurate depictions of unreleased handsets. OnLeaks is once again the source of these new renders, and they were shared in partnership with an Indian gadget blog called Pricebaba.As you can see in the render above, the front of the iPhone 11R appears completely unchanged as compared to the iPhone XR. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, of course, since the exact same thing can be said of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max. And as is the case with the iPhone 11 and 11 Max, the back of the iPhone 11R is also the same aside from one huge difference.Apple's mid-range iPhone 11R is not expected to have the same triple-lens rear camera as its pricier counterparts, but it seemingly will have a similar square camera bump. This is in line with earlier rumors we've heard. Rather than housing three lenses, an LED flash, and a rear-facing microphone, the camera bump on the iPhone 11R will hold two lenses along with the flash and mic.A video showcasing the leaked iPhone 11R design is embedded below, and more renders can be found on Pricebaba.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xetWpPkPmLA
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| Markets Right Now: Late selling leaves stocks slightly lower Posted: 08 May 2019 01:11 PM PDT  NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):
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| Jake Paul: Woman suspects she was drugged at party hosted by YouTube star Posted: 07 May 2019 07:14 AM PDT  The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating a complaint from a woman who suspects that she was drugged at a party at YouTube star Jake Paul's home.Police received a report from the woman Sunday night, following a birthday party Mr Paul hosted for rapper Desiigner's on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that detectives were looking into the alleged incident. "On Sunday, May 5, 2019, the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff's Station was made aware of a possible single occurrence of unwillful impairment related to a party attended on May 4, 2019," the spokesperson said. "Detectives are in the beginning stages of information gathering for the incident. The Sheriff's Department treats allegations such as these seriously, and will use all known resources to investigate."A police official said that Police Station 68 responded to three separate calls regarding Mr Paul's home on Saturday night.He confirmed that at least two calls were for a "sick person" and that two people were transported to a local hospital in the early hours of the morning.A third visit to the house was in response to a noise complaint after a guest "jumped onto another person's property and scared an elderly woman, who fell down."The Daily Mail reports that a mother in a private Facebook group warned other parents that her daughter had been "drugged" at the same party."The house was a mansion filled with young people," the parent wrote in a post shared on social media. "She ended up in the hospital with eight other girls who had been drugged and ended up at West Hills Hospital incoherent. Something was put in their drinks."Mr Paul, 22, posted several snippets of the party on Instagram, as did his guests. The Independent has reached out to representatives for Mr Paul for comment.
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| Sri Lanka's post-attacks nightlife loses fizz Posted: 07 May 2019 04:09 AM PDT  Before jihadi bombers targeted Sri Lanka in deadly Easter attacks, Rangana Wijesuriya used to party until the small hours in the pulsating restaurants, bars and clubs of downtown Colombo. Sri Lanka remains on high alert after bombers targeted three hotels and churches in attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. The pedestrianised Park Street Mews used to be heaving, its many bars and chic restaurants the place to be seen for Sri Lanka's party set, plus a few tourists.
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| The Next-Gen Honda Fit Debuts This October—but Will It Come to the U.S.? Posted: 08 May 2019 11:36 AM PDT  The new Fit will offer a new hybrid drivetrain, but what we still don't know is when-or if-it will come to America.
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| Iran Threatens Return to Nuclear Enrichment as U.S. Sanctions Bite Posted: 08 May 2019 02:28 AM PDT  "This surgery is for saving the deal, not destroying it," President Hassan Rouhani said
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| Pelosi says Trump is 'goading us to impeach him' Posted: 07 May 2019 09:10 AM PDT  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has resisted calls for President Trump's impeachment, said Tuesday that the president seems to be daring Democrats to take that politically fraught step.
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| Two students open fire at Colorado school, wounding 8 schoolmates Posted: 07 May 2019 04:57 PM PDT  Several victims of the shooting at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School in Highlands Ranch, a Denver suburb, were in critical condition at local hospitals and in surgery, Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said at a briefing. "Two individuals walked into the STEM school, got deep inside the school, and engaged students in two separate locations," Spurlock said. The suspects were identified only as students of the school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
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| Qatar to send money for West Bank, Gaza after Israel truce Posted: 07 May 2019 09:56 AM PDT  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar on Tuesday said it is sending $480 million to Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip after a cease-fire deal ended the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants since a 2014 war.
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| Southwest Airlines updates family boarding policy after same-sex couple claims discrimination Posted: 08 May 2019 09:39 AM PDT ![Southwest Airlines updates family boarding policy after same-sex couple claims discrimination]( "Southwest Airlines updates family boarding policy after same-sex couple claims discrimination") Two men said they were stopped with their three young children and the children's grandmother during family boarding on a flight to Fort Lauderdale.
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| Anadarko calls Occidental takeover offer 'superior' to Chevron's Posted: 06 May 2019 07:39 PM PDT  US oil group Anadarko said Monday that Occidental Petroleum's takeover bid is "superior" to Chevron's, amid a fierce battle over the company's assets in the shale-rich Permian Basin in Texas. After initially siding with Chevron, Anadarko reopened talks when Occidental raised its share price. Last week, Occidental also upped its cash offer to $38 billion.
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| US removes sanctions on Venezuelan intelligence chief after he abandoned Maduro Posted: 07 May 2019 03:52 PM PDT  The former head of Venezuela's feared intelligence service Sebin has had sanctions on him lifted by the United States, in a move designed to encourage others to follow his lead and abandon Nicolas Maduro. Mr Maduro's government announced shortly afterwards that it was taking control of three private airfields, in a move widely seen as trying to stop others following the general's lead and fleeing the country. Nestor Reverol, head of public works, said the Metropolitana air field in Caracas, the airport in the town of Higuerote, and Aeropuerto Caracas, south of the capital, had been taken over "to avoid illicit acts which would compromise the safety of civil aviation." Mike Pence, the US vice president, announced on Tuesday that sanctions would be lifted from General Manuel Cristopher Figuera after he resigned on April 30. "You can't live in misery in a country this rich," wrote Mr Figuera, in a letter of resignation that received national attention. Mike Pence, pictured with Venezuela's interim president Juan Guaido on February 25, praised Mr Figuera for cutting ties with Mr Maduro Mr Pence, speaking in Washington, hailed Mr Figuera as an example for all other senior Venezuelan officials to follow. "The United States will give sanctions relief to all those willing to step forward, stand up for the constitution, and support the rule of law," he said. Mr Figuera was placed on a list of US-sanctioned Venezuelans on February 15. The US treasury said on Tuesday that he was being rewarded for denouncing Mr Maduro. "The delisting of Cristopher also shows the good faith of the United States that removal of sanctions may be available for designated persons who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the illegitimate Maduro regime, or combat corruption in Venezuela," it said in a statement. "As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property, which had been blocked solely as a result of Cristopher's designation, are unblocked and all otherwise lawful transactions involving US persons and Cristopher are no longer prohibited." Nicolas Maduro, flanked by his defence minister Vladimir Padrino, greets troops on May 2 after successfully repressing an uprising lead by Juan Guaido Mr Figuera had been head of Sebin since October 2018. He graduated from Venezuela's military academy in 1989, and served as Hugo Chavez's aide-de-camp for 12 years. In 2017 he became head of military intelligence. When he was promoted to head of Sebin, replacing Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez after a suspicious death of a Sebin agent inside a Sebin building, the opposition party Primero Justicia accused Mr Figuera himself of having a questionable past. "This means more torture, more violations of human rights, and more persecution," the party said in a statement, accusing him of "abuse and torture". Since Mr Figuera's resignation, Mr Gonzalez Lopez has been reinstated as Sebin head.
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| Europe hints at sanctions while urging Iran to rethink nuclear deal departure Posted: 08 May 2019 02:01 PM PDT  Britain and other European allies suggested they could be forced to reapply sanctions if Iran follows through with its threat to withdraw from the nuclear deal in 60 days. Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, urged the Iranian regime to think "long and hard" about breaching the deal's terms and warned there would be "consequences" to that move. French defence minister Florence Parly said the question of sanctions "will be raised" if the nuclear deal is not respected, while Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas expressed "great concern" at developments. Russia and China, who are also signatories to the deal, targeted their frustration at the United States, who pulled out of the deal a year ago and reapplied sanctions themselves. Iran has announced that it will no longer comply with two relatively minor restrictions in the nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 during Barack Obama's US presidency. But Iran has also said that in 60 days it will take a more drastic step - enriching high-grade uranium that could be used in a bomb - unless the world finds a way to protect it from US sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The news promoted an immediate reaction from European powers who have been trying to keep the Iran deal alive after Donald Trump withdrew America after dubbing it the worst deal in history. Mr Hunt,who appeared alongside US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in a London press conference on Wednesday, delivered a stark warning to the Iranian regime. "The JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] is a deal, and in return for the lifting of sanctions Iran has agreed to vital compliance measures," Mr Hunt said. "If they break that deal, then there will be consequences in terms of how European powers react. So we urge the Iranians to think very long and hard before they break that deal. "It is in no one's interest, it is certainly not in their interest because the moment they go nuclear, their neighbors will as well." Donald Trump, the US president Credit: Yuri Gripas/Pool via Bloomberg France's Ms Parly said that "nothing would be worse than Iran leaving this deal." A spokesman for the French deputy foreign ministry urged all sides to avoid anything that would "fuel an escalation". Germany's Mr Maas said that "we have learned of Iran's announcement with great concern and we will look at this very closely now." But there was criticism of the Trump administration from others. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said: "The US is to blame for the situation and it makes it difficult for both Iran to fulfill its obligations." Geng Shuang, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, called on "all parties concerned to exercise restraint". Meanwile Mr Trump tightened the screws further on Iran with sanctions on its mining industry. He said in a statement: "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct."
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| Kendrick Castillo, student killed in Colorado high school shooting, was just 3 days from graduating Posted: 08 May 2019 10:37 AM PDT  An 18-year-old student who died in Tuesday's mass shooting at a Coloradocharter school was just three days away from his graduation
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| Here's the Story Behind Ezra Miller's Insanely Eye-Popping 2019 Met Gala Optical Illusion Look Posted: 07 May 2019 08:23 AM PDT  Bow to the king of "Camp"
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| Military Force Will Not Achieve U.S. Objectives in Venezuela Posted: 08 May 2019 03:46 AM PDT  The Trump administration says it is determined to alleviate the plight of the Venezuelan people. And they are suffering. The Hugo Chavez-Nicolas Maduro regime has proved to be a horror show: undemocratic and brutal, ostentatiously destroying the nation's economy in the name of socialism.But President Donald Trump cares little for those suffering even more elsewhere. For instance, he backs Saudi Arabia in an aggressive war which has killed tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians. He bestows symbolic hugs on Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who slaughtered hundreds of protestors and jailed tens of thousands of critics, demonstrators, and stray Egyptians caught up in ubiquitous dragnets. For the Trump administration, Venezuela is only about politics. Votes in Florida, specifically.Yet the administration can't even get the public relations right. A few weeks ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to Venezuela's neighbor, Colombia, to strike a Reagan-esque pose in calling on the Maduro government to open a bridge into Venezuela to allow entry of humanitarian aid. Alas, few observers saw much comparison to President Ronald Reagan's memorable trip to Berlin when he urged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear down this wall."
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| Ford plans to take medical transport venture nationwide Posted: 07 May 2019 11:30 AM PDT ![Ford plans to take medical transport venture nationwide]( "Ford plans to take medical transport venture nationwide") Ford Motor Co plans to expand its GoRide medical transportation service to 40 cities nationwide over the next four years, moving into Ohio and Florida this year and other large states by 2020, the company said on Tuesday. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has been testing various ways to grow beyond its traditional business of building and selling cars and trucks, aiming to compete with technology industry startups such as Uber Technologies Inc for a share of money spent on transportation as a service. GoRide uses Ford Transit and Transit Connect vans to give rides to people who need medical care but do not need an ambulance.
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| 1 dead, 8 injured in shooting at Denver STEM school; 2 students in custody Posted: 07 May 2019 09:56 PM PDT  Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said the two suspects, one adult male and one juvenile male, both students at the school, are in custody.
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| Early F-150 Lightning Up For Auction With GT40 Cylinder Heads Posted: 08 May 2019 11:40 AM PDT  This 1993 Lightning comes in black and looks ready for both the builders merchant and the drag strip. Out of all the names seen on special production vehicles over the years, Lightning has to be one of the coolest. In 1993, Ford decided to drop their first performance orientated truck, the F-150 Lightning, like the one featured here by GAA Classic Cars.
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| DOJ to Ask White House to Invoke Privilege Over Entire Mueller Report Posted: 07 May 2019 08:22 PM PDT  Alex Wong/GettyThe House Judiciary Committee still plans to hold a markup session Wednesday morning to hold Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt for ignoring a subpoena to release to members the full, unredacted Mueller report, according to a senior Democratic aide.The Department of Justice plans to ask the White House to invoke privilege over the report if the committee moves forward with the markup session, that aide said.The news comes after staffers with the department and the committee met Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to come to an agreement about the release of the redacted report. But the two sides, after weeks of negotiations, have once again failed to come to an understanding. "Tonight, in the middle of good faith negotiations with the Attorney General, the Department abruptly announced that it would instead ask President Trump to invoke executive privilege on all of the materials subject to our subpoena," House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said in a statement. "This kind of obstruction is dangerous. The Department's decision reflects President Trump's blanket defiance of Congress's constitutionally mandated duties. In the coming days, I expect that Congress will have no choice but to confront the behavior of this lawless Administration."In a letter to the committee, the DOJ said that it had offered the committee multiple accommodations throughout Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Despite those accommodations, the committee has responded with "unreasonable demands and scheduling a committee vote to recommend that the Attorney General be held in contempt of Congress," the letter said."In the face of the Committee's threatened contempt vote, the Attorney General will be compelled to request that the President invoke executive privilege with respect to the materials subject to the subpoena."The DOJ asked the committee to delay any vote on whether to recommend a citation of contempt for noncompliance with the subpoena.But the judiciary committee still plans to move forward with the markup session, raising the chances that the fighting between DOJ and the Hill over the report will turn into an all-out brawl.Barr also failed to show up for a hearing in front of the committee last week. The DOJ said the committee had made unreasonable demands about the format of the hearing, including that staff attorneys question Barr.In the meeting between the two sides Wednesday afternoon, the DOJ said it would give more committee members the chance to view a less-redacted version of the now public Mueller report. But judiciary said that all members should have access to that version and each side of the committee should also be able to share it with three staffers. The Judiciary also asked that the DOJ either work with the committee on going to court or to not oppose it going to court to seek grand jury material related to the Mueller report. Read more at The Daily Beast.
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| US to send hospital ship to help with Venezuelan refugees Posted: 07 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy hospital ship will embark on another humanitarian mission to help countries cope with an influx of Venezuelans fleeing a deep economic and political crisis, the Trump administration announced Tuesday.
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| Pompeo briefs Iraqi leaders on U.S. security concerns over Iran Posted: 08 May 2019 01:42 AM PDT  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday and met Iraq's prime minister and other top officials to discuss the safety of Americans in Iraq and explain U.S. security concerns amid rising Iranian activity. The visit came two days after U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said the United States was deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and a bomber task force to the region because of a "credible threat by Iranian regime forces".
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| China's Luckin Coffee Is More 7-11 Than Starbucks — And That Could Be a Big Problem Posted: 08 May 2019 07:51 AM PDT  The high-tech Chinese coffee company is brewing up an IPO — but can it compete?
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| Stock markets take cover as Trump trade fears escalate Posted: 07 May 2019 02:30 PM PDT  Global equity investors ran for cover on Tuesday, fearing this week's hoped-for end to the US-China trade war could instead see an drastic escalation.
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| The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announce royal baby name and title Posted: 08 May 2019 08:46 AM PDT  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have named their baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, it has been announced. The couple posted the news on their Instagram page, along with a black and white photograph of the newborn baby being introduced to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. With the Duchess' mother Doria Ragland by their sides, the duchess held the baby in her arms as the Queen beamed. The announcement appears to confirm that the baby will not take a title. While the bookies had safely predicted the names of Prince George and Princess Charlotte, they were left confounded by the Sussex's selection. In the days after the baby boy's birth, they had settled on Alexander, Arthur, James, Philip and Spencer as the most likely options, with their punters preoccupied with how the couple would honour the late Diana, Princess of Wales. View this post on Instagram The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pleased to announce they have named their first born child: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor This afternoon Their Royal Highnesses introduced Her Majesty The Queen to her eighth great-grandchild at Windsor Castle. The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess' mother were also present for this special occasion. Photo credit: Chris Allerton ©️SussexRoyal A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on May 8, 2019 at 8:39am PDT By Wednesday, when the baby was two days old, senior members of the Royal Family including his Uncle William and Auntie Catherine had not yet been made aware of the name. Bookies, who until Monday had overwhelmingly predicted the baby would be a girl, have tipped Alexander and Arthur as the front-runners for a boy's name, with a longlist imbued with tradition. Spencer was yesterday inching into the lead at William Hill, after fans adopted it as a favoured choice on social media in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Duke has previously spoken of how important it is to him to include his late mother in the big moments of his life, saying during his engagement interview that incorporating her diamond in to the Duchess' ring would "make sure that she's with us on this crazy journey together".
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| Colorado school shooting: Family IDs student killed in Highlands Ranch; 2 suspects in custody Posted: 08 May 2019 02:49 PM PDT  The father of 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo says his son was the student killed in a shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch. He said his son was a hero and he wants people to know what a great kid he was.
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| 'The FBI doesn't spy': Comey slams Barr for spying claim, 'misleading' Mueller summary Posted: 08 May 2019 12:14 PM PDT  "We investigated a very serious allegation that Americans might be hooked up with the Russian effort to attack our democracy," Comey said Wednesday.
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| France suggests sanctions could be reimposed if Iran reneges on nuke deal Posted: 07 May 2019 03:00 PM PDT  International sanctions could be reimposed on Iran if it reneges on commitments under its nuclear deal, sources at the French presidency said on Tuesday, after Tehran said it would scale back its compliance a year after Washington pulled out.
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| Two Reuters reporters freed in Myanmar after more than 500 days in jail Posted: 07 May 2019 07:37 AM PDT  Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, had been convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress towards democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. It is customary in Myanmar for authorities to free prisoners across the country around the time of the traditional New Year, which began on April 17. Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, on the outskirts of Yangon, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom.
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| Top US diplomat makes secret Iraq trip amid Iran tensions Posted: 07 May 2019 03:42 PM PDT  BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a lightning visit Tuesday to Baghdad aimed at showing support for the Iraqi government as the United States has been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East.
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| The 2021 Ford F-150, Spied Testing, Looks Pretty Evolutionary Posted: 08 May 2019 01:20 PM PDT  The new F-150 looks pretty much like the old F-150-a wildly popular traditional pickup truck, just like God and Henry Ford intended.
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| President Trump Pardons a Former U.S. Soldier Convicted of Killing an Iraqi Prisoner Posted: 07 May 2019 07:50 AM PDT  President Trump has granted a full pardon to former U.S. soldier Michael Behenna, who was convicted of killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2009
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| 10 Design-Savvy Moms Share Their Dream Mother’s Day Gifts Posted: 07 May 2019 01:19 PM PDT |
| Beware: This new robocall scam could cost you big time Posted: 07 May 2019 06:03 PM PDT  It seems that robocallers have have begun to evolve a bit, as media coverage brings increased scrutiny and potential regulatory action in response to their practices. Now that consumers are starting to get wise to the barrage of robocalls and the myriad spam calls that flood their phones on the daily, robocallers have increasingly found themselves less able to trick unsuspecting consumers into actually answering their phones and engaging with them. Which is why they've moved on to a new strategy -- the one-ring call.It's a significant enough move on their part that the Federal Communications Commission has already decided to issue a warning to consumers about this new tactic, hoping you'll be able to avoid it. So what is it, exactly?Just like the name implies, the idea is for the robocaller to let the phone ring just once. Hoping that you'll have heard it, and your curiosity will overtake you enough to want to call back and ask whether someone just called you from this number. (Narrator: Don't do it.)Anecdotally, many people have started reporting this scam as seeming to originate from Sierra Leone, given the frequency of calls that include Sierra Leone's 232 country code in their number. The FCC's warning specifically mentions other calls coming from Mauritania, in Africa."These calls are likely trying to prompt consumers to call the number back, often resulting in per minute toll charges similar to a 900 number," the FCC's warning explains. It goes on to note that "News reports have indicated widespread overnight calling in New York State and Arizona."Generally, the One Ring scam takes place when a robocaller calls a number and hangs up after a ring or two. They may call repeatedly, hoping the consumer calls back and runs up a toll that is largely paid to the scammer."In order to help fight back, the FCC is recommending consumers file a complaint with the FCC (by visiting www.fcc.gov/complaints) if you get one of these calls. Another thing you can do, if you never make international calls, is to consider talking to your phone company about blocking outbound international calls to prevent accidental toll calls. All of this is, of course, in addition to not returning these calls in the first place if you get them.The fact that robocallers are evolving is certainly worth keeping an eye on, because the problem remains a particularly acute one across the US. One that regulatory action has so far seemed completely ineffective in making a dent in. A recent estimate from YouMail, for example, estimated that US consumers were hit with about 4.9 billion robocalls just in April alone.
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| Where teachers can get free food and discounts for Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10 Posted: 08 May 2019 03:00 AM PDT  Teacher Appreciation Day is over but Teacher Appreciation Week continues. Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Del Taco and others have freebies and deals.
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| Growing up in Windsor: what will life be like for baby Sussex? Posted: 07 May 2019 11:00 PM PDT  Only once Meghan has merged from the post birth fog, will she discover quite what a good move she has made to Windsor. She might be sleep deprived and sore and living in a building site but within a few miles of Frogmore, her newly renovated "forever home" is everything a new mother could need from organic supermarkets and luxury spas to Buggy Fit classes and cafes serving proper coffee. "New mums want to stay in touch with reality and get back into their favourite dresses and round here there are loads of stylish, outdoorsy ways of doing it," explains Sue Barnes of Lavender Green Flowers, a Windsor local who regularly does the flowers at events at the Royal palaces. Plus, Heathrow is only a short drive away – easy for when granny Doria flies in to help and, in case of emergencies, the Peter Jones nursery department is only 22 miles up the M4. There will presumably be times when Meghan will crave the bustle of city life but Barnes insists Windsor is a playground for new mums. "I can imagine them taking the baby on a slipper boat down the Thames with a picnic," she says. "Or he will play polo at Coworth Park while she relaxes in the spa and the baby sleeps in the crèche. Round here you can also attend society events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show with your baby in tow, which Meghan will appreciate." If the Duchess is open to making new friends there will also be plenty of kindred spirits to hang out with, says local mother and parenting blogger Jodie Humphries. "It's so easy for new mums to make friends around here as many have, like Meghan, moved out of the Royal Borough for a better quality of life," she says. "We arrive as strangers but form strong friendships through local baby and toddler groups. It's really helpful to have a set of friends who are all experiencing similar things at the same time." The question is: will Meghan flit between Frogmore and five-star spa hotels – or brave the Windsor playgroups? Windsor's Buggy Fit crowd meets weekly on the Long Walk - but will Meghan join them? Meghan's guide to being a new mum in Windsor The post birth boot camp Meghan has installed a gym and yoga studio at Frogmore, and will presumably ship in private trainers to come to the house – maybe Chloe Hodgson, who takes the pilates classes at Soho Farmhouse, or Notting Hill-based postnatal yoga guru Tara Lee. She might also take ballet barre and legs, bums and tums classes at the Cliveden Club, the private members club and gym attached to the five-star hotel where she stayed the night before her wedding. And then there are Her Majesty's horses to canter around the Great Park – great for toning the post birth core. She would do well, though, according to Humphries, to pull down her baseball cap and mingle in with the Buggy Fit crowd, which meets weekly on the Long Walk, a few minutes from Frogmore. For this she will need to ditch the traditional royal pram in favour of a sporty buggy such as a BOB Revolution Flex or, if it's twins, a Bugaboo Donkey. The new mum friends Her friends the Clooneys live 20 minutes away at Sonning – Amal's twins are now nearly two, so she can teach Meg the basics – and Elton John and his two children live in Old Windsor. Anna Friel is also a local Windsor mum and over at Henley-on Thames, mother-of-four Sascha Wrottesley, whose father Urs Schwarzenbach is a local polo patron and is a great mate of Prince Charles, will be able to introduce Meghan to the local polo mums. Meanwhile in Virginia Water are pop star Jessica Taylor, who is married to Kevin Pietersen, and TV presenter Kirstie Gallagher both with two children. If she's prepared to brave the local baby classes, however (see below), she will meet a raft of other local mums, and can bond over coffee and cake in the cafe at the Windsor Farmshop or on breezy walks in the Great Park. We'd say unlikely, but the option is at least there. The baby classes There is so much on offer for babies around Windsor that Meghan could risk over stimulating Baby Sussex: baby massage in Maidenhead , Hartbeeps sensory sessions in Windsor and two soft plays, the Jelly Lounge and the Little Gym in Windsor. For older babies Humphries recommends Concertini, live concerts for babies at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. "My little boy went to his first concert when he was around six months," she says. Perhaps most appropriate for Meghan will be Yoga Babes at the Positivity Centre next to Cliveden. "It's postnatal exercises for mum and groovy moves to nursery rhymes for baby," Humphries explains. Me time When Meghan wants to escape the house for some 'me time', she should stroll to the Savill garden in Windsor Great Park, says Humphries, which has a great café and stunning scenery. Cliveden will undoubtedly become another favourite with its spa café serving healthy meals and tranquil sitting areas. There is no shortage of baby classes in Windsor Credit: Paul Edwards/PA Wire Not only do they do lovely afternoon teas and two-hour restorative flotation therapies (£185), there is also a playground in the National Trust estate for when the baby gets a bit older too. She might bump in to Cliveden regulars Poppy Delevigne and Gabby Logan. Date night Once they feel up to it they will be able book a discreet table at numerous fancy restaurants near Frogmore – the Fat Duck and Royal Oak are 15 minutes away at Bray and both the Waterside Inn and Skindles can be accessed by boat. "Or the Barn at Coworth Park, is relaxed chic and serves amazing food and is out of the spotlight," says local parenting blogger Melanie Kentish. Brad Pitt has stayed at Coworth and it was where former Dr Who star Matt Smith introduced his girlfriend Lily James to polo. The Sussexes also have a sentimental connection as Harry stayed here on the eve of their wedding. Family outings There will surely be family picnics on the lawns at Guards Polo, where Harry regularly plays and cream teas at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a favourite with the Pony Club set including dressage star Laura Tomlinson, Harry's cousins Lady Louise Windsor and Zara Tindall – her youngest, Lena, will be a partner in crime for Baby Sussex – and Jessica Springsteen, Bruce's champion showjumper daughter. "It's smart but also very family orientated," Barnes says. And then there's Henley Royal Regatta, where Harry can catch up with his "wet bob" school chums. Harry might also suggest they go Carters Steam Fair, a traditional fairground, where he rode on the dodgems as a child. "It's a great place to go if he wanted to show Meghan some British traditions," Humphries says. School stress It may feel like much too soon to be talking schools but places are coveted at Asquith Nursery - one of the best nurseries in Windsor, according to Kentish, while Puddleduck Preschool, which has a similar vibe to Westacre Montessori, the small nursery on the Sandringham Estate where Prince George began his school days is also highly sought after. Another Montessori option is Children of the World Montessori School, which has small class sizes and a large playground. Royal baby Sussex | Read more Little Sussex might go on to Upton House where Fergie and Andrew sent their girls or Bishopsgate prep, at the entrance to Windsor Park, which is popular with local yummy mummies. Perhaps the most obvious choice, though, is St George's, at the foot of Windsor Castle, founded in 1348 to educate the choristers of the chapel where the Sussexes were married. And then of course there's Harry's alma mater, Eton, just across the river – although Meghan might put her foot down at that. Mothers help If Baby Sussex starts making her life difficult she could call up Hummingbird Home Staff, which provides local maternity nurses, night nannies and sleep trainers. Of course leading baby experts from across Britain will also be on hand to dash to the Duchesses side: miracle breastfeeding consultant Clare Byam Cook, for example, and Magic Sleep Fairy Alison Scott-Wright. Lady Sophie Windsor, who is married to Harry's cousin Lord Fredrick Windsor, might suggest she consults sleep counsellor Andrea Grace, who helped with her children's sleep issues. Newsletter Promotion - Royal Appointment - in article Beating the baby blues Even for new mums like Meghan, with a luxury home and an entourage, motherhood can be lonely. "The key is to have realistic expectations and to surround yourself with people that make you feel confident," Humphries says. Parenting podcasts are a good way to feel connected during solitary night feeds or lonely days at home; Marina Fogle's Parenthood is a good one, as is Motherkind – or Scummy Mummies if Meghan is feeling less than perfect. And there's nothing like a good catch up with an old friend – or a new one. "Thankfully there is a great sense of community within Windsor," Kentish says. "Which wards off the loneliness that being a new mum can bring."
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| Key parties in South Africa's elections Posted: 08 May 2019 04:45 AM PDT  A potpourri of 48 political parties contested South Africa's general election Wednesday -- a record number. The African National Congress rose from a liberation movement to govern Africa's most industrialised country, but its once-glorious image has been tainted by its record in office. It was founded in Bloemfontein in 1912 to fight against the white minority government's restrictions on free movement and land ownership by blacks.
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| U.S. targets Iran's metals for sanctions, Tehran relaxes nuclear deal compliance Posted: 08 May 2019 02:41 PM PDT  Iran had announced hours earlier that it was relaxing some restrictions on its nuclear program, steps that stopped short of violating the deal with world powers for now, but threatening more action if countries do not shield it from U.S. sanctions. An executive order issued by Trump covers Iran's iron, steel, aluminum, and copper sectors, the government's largest non-petroleum-related sources of export revenue and 10 percent of its export economy, a White House statement said. "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct," Trump said.
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| James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' winning streak has fueled a (continued) ratings streak Posted: 07 May 2019 11:54 AM PDT  James Holzhauer's impressive run on "Jeopardy!" has fueled renewed interest – and ratings – for the syndicated quiz show.
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| From Trump claiming executive privilege to William Barr and the Mueller report - here's everything you need to know Posted: 08 May 2019 11:48 AM PDT  The feud between Donald Trump and House Democrats is escalating, as critics of the president seek a vast trove of information related to the Mueller report, and the White House has signalled it has no plans to help in that endeavour.The latest escalation comes as Democrats have moved forward to find attorney general William Barr in contempt of Congress — an act that would make Mr Barr only the second sitting top law man in America to be hit with the charge — for failing to honour a subpoena and hand over the Mueller report and related documents.The White House, meanwhile, has asserted executive privilege over the documents for the first time, increasing the likelihood that the clash between the House an Trump administration will end up end up in the courts.Here's what you need to know.What do Democrats want?Democrats in Washington have demanded a full account of the Mueller report, including underlying evidence and files that touch on dozens of federal criminal cases stemming from or related to the special counsel investigation.The calls for these materials began almost immediately after Mr Barr first received the Mueller report on 22 March. The demands have only gained momentum in time since as Washington has been divided by the report and the attorney general's representation of the report.How have they tried to get those documents?The House Judiciary Committee has attempted to force the Justice Department's hand by issuing subpoenas, and now are taking further action with a vote to proceed with a contempt resolution against Mr Barr.The measure has passed in the Judiciary Committee, but would still need a full vote in the House — a simple majority would do — before Mr Barr is actually hit with the charge.What has the Trump administration done?As Democrats increased pressure over the past few weeks, the Justice Department and House Judiciary have engaged in negotiations around what documents would be made public, but those talks have appeared to break down.The night before the contempt hearing in the House, Mr Nadler announced that he had received a letter from the Department of Justice indicating that the White House was asserting executive privilege to block their access to the Mueller report and underlying documents.That decision by the White House followed after Mr Barr sent a letter to the president suggesting that he makes a protective assertion of executive privilege, pending a final decision on whether to officially claim Executive Privilege on the entirety of the documents in question.In that letter, Mr Barr suggested that the Department of Justice was being rushed to hand over the documents, which number in the millions.Assistant attorney general Stephen Boyd said in a letter to Mr Nadler that the Department of Justice was "disappointed" that the Judiciary Committee would not honour a request for a delay on the vote of contempt over the subpoenas. Mr Boyd argued that the request would force the Justice Department to violate the law, court rules, and court orders, and would harm the independence of the department.What is contempt?Contempt sounds pretty serious, but a House decision to pass such a resolution against Mr Barr would likely be largely symbolic and would amount to a very powerful message to the attorney general.Overall, contempt charges follow after congressional subpoenas are repeatedly denied. The measure, if passed by the full House, would then be handed over to the executive branch (where it is likely that it will not be taken up).The next step would be for Congress to take Mr Barr and the Trump administration to court over the Mueller report, which could then force the courts to decide the matter.What is executive privilege, and what does it cover?The White House's assertion of executive privilege marks the first time the president has done so, and has been interpreted broadly as an escalation in tensions between House Democrats and the president.The claim is, essentially, that certain materials within the executive branch's possession should be withheld in the public interest, and allows the White House and other members of the executive to resist subpoenas from Congress.The Trump administration in this case has targeted the entire Mueller report and underlying documents, even though the measure is usually only used to target information pertaining specifically to executive branch functions.
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| Here's the Surprising Inspiration Behind Billy Porter's Magnificent Sun God 2019 Met Gala Look Posted: 07 May 2019 08:45 AM PDT  Billy Porter's gilded, regal look for the 2019 Met Gala was inspired by a variety of sources — from Diana Ross to Elizabeth Taylor
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