| Trump aims to stop all Iran oil exports by halting US sanctions waivers Posted: 22 Apr 2019 12:34 PM PDT  Donald Trump is halting all waivers from US sanctions for countries which continue to buy oil from Iran.The announcement increases pressure on Iran, which branded the sanctions "illegal", and primarily affects the five major importers of its oil - China, India and the US treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Turkey.The US president made the decision as part of his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran. It aims to eliminate all the country's revenue from oil exports the US says funds destabilising activities throughout the Middle East and beyond."This decision is intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue," the White House said in a statement.Later on Monday, Mr Trump tweeted: "Saudi Arabia and others in OPEC will more than make up the Oil Flow difference in our now Full Sanctions on Iranian Oil."Announcing the step, secretary of state Mike Pompeo said no more sanctions waivers would be granted when the current batch expire on 2 May, choking off Iranian income that had been more than $50bn (£38.5bn) a year."The goal remains simply to deprive the outlaw regime of the funds that it has used to destabilise the Middle East for decades and incentivise Iran to behave like a normal country," Mr Pompeo told reporters at the State Department.The administration granted eight waivers when it reimposed sanctions on Iran in November after Mr Trump pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.The waivers were issued in part to give those countries more time to find alternate energy sources but also to prevent a shock to global oil markets from the sudden removal of Iranian crude.Three of those waivers, for Greece, Italy and Taiwan, are no longer needed because the countries have all halted their imports of Iranian oil.But the other five continue to import Iranian oil and had lobbied for their waivers to be extended.Nato ally Turkey has made perhaps the most public case for an extension, with senior officials telling their US counterparts that Iranian oil is critical to meeting their country's energy needs.They have also made the case that as a neighbour of Iran, Turkey cannot be expected to completely close its economy to Iranian goods.China, one of Iran's largest customers, condemned the step, calling it more evidence of US "unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction".Beijing, which relies on imports for about half of its oil, could present the toughest diplomatic challenge for the US in trying to enforce its sanctions.Those arguments fell on deaf ears within the administration."We will no longer grant any exemptions," Mr Pompeo said. "We are going to zero, we're going to zero across the board."Iran brushed off the decision."Regarding the illegal status of the sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran basically has not seen and does not see any worth and validity for the waivers," the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.It said Iran has intensified consultations with its "European and international partners" and a "necessary decision" would be announced later.Mr Trump, defending the move, claimed Iran was being given "very bad advice" by former secretary of state John Kerry, who has previously met Iranian leaders over the scrapped Obama-era nuclear deal.> Saudi Arabia and others in OPEC will more than make up the Oil Flow difference in our now Full Sanctions on Iranian Oil. Iran is being given VERY BAD advice by @JohnKerry and people who helped him lead the U.S. into the very bad Iran Nuclear Deal. Big violation of Logan Act?> > — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) > > April 22, 2019He also claimed Mr Kerry may have violated the Logan Act, an obscure law banning private citizens from negotiating with foreign governments without US permission.Earlier, Iran reiterated its long-running threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if it is prevented from using the crucial waterway in the Persian Gulf, through which about a third of all oil traded at sea passes.Left unclear, however, is whether the five countries will face immediate American sanctions if they continue to take delivery of Iranian oil after the waivers expire.Two senior US officials – special representative for Iran Brian Hook and assistant secretary of state for energy resources Francis Fannon – refused to comment on whether any of them would be given additional time to complete purchases made prior to 2 May or allowed to use money already set aside for purchases after that date without penalty.Both said questions about such provisions were "hypothetical", suggesting some accommodation may be possible.Mr Fannon said the US did not expect any sharp spike in oil prices or any significant reduction in the global supply of oil, given production increases by other countries, including the US itself, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.Those comments were echoed by Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, although benchmark US crude oil rose 2.4 per cent early Monday after the decision was announced.Mr Hassett told reporters at the White House he was not concerned the decision will negatively affect oil prices.He said US production has risen in recent years by "more than all of Iranian production" so there is adequate capacity should there be a need for oil supplies.He said the link between oil prices and the US economy has diminished as American oil production has increased."If the oil price goes up or down $1 a barrel now it doesn't have that much of an effect ... because our output has increased so much," Mr Hassett said.Senator Ted Cruz, who had long lobbied for the step, applauded the end of oil waivers."This decision will deprive the ayatollahs of billions of dollars that they would have spent undermining the security of the United States and our allies, building up Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and financing global terrorism," he said.Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, praised the administration for further tightening sanctions enforcement on Iran, which the Jewish state regards as an existential threat.He said the move "is of great importance for increasing pressure on the Iranian terrorist regime".Saudi Arabian energy minister Khalid Al-Falih said in a statement his country would work with other oil producers "to ensure adequate supplies are available to consumers while ensuring the global oil market does not go out of balance".Additional reporting by AP
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| Observers hail Ukraine's 'competitive' vote Posted: 21 Apr 2019 05:23 PM PDT  European observers on Monday praised Ukraine's presidential election as "competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms" but said the campaigns were thin on substance. Volodymyr Zelensky, whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, crushed incumbent Petro Poroshenko in a runoff on Sunday, taking 73.2 percent of the vote. "The runoff was well-organised, despite operational challenges and a limited timeframe," the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement.
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| The Latest: 12 students,1 teacher killed honored at ceremony Posted: 21 Apr 2019 02:19 AM PDT  LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) — The Latest on events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting (all times local):
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| San Diego Church-Goers Tackle a Woman Brandishing a Handgun and a Baby Posted: 22 Apr 2019 01:05 AM PDT  Police say she threatened to blow up the church during Easter service
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| US STOCKS-Wall Street dips ahead of earnings deluge Posted: 22 Apr 2019 07:22 AM PDT ![US STOCKS-Wall Street dips ahead of earnings deluge]( "US STOCKS-Wall Street dips ahead of earnings deluge") U.S. stocks pulled back slightly on Monday as investors awaited a barrage of major earnings reports this week, the busiest this earnings season, while a jump in energy stocks kept losses in check. Boeing Co was down 1.1% after the New York Times reported the company's factory in South Carolina, which makes the 787 Dreamliner, has been plagued by "shoddy production and weak oversight." Another report on Sunday said the planemaker rejected the allegations.
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| Here's An Idea: The Air Force Builds 200 B-21 Stealth Bombers Posted: 21 Apr 2019 07:00 PM PDT  The B-21 has disappeared into the "black" world of military technology, and will only reemerge when the bomber is ready.On October 27, 2015, nearly thirty-four years to the day after Northrop Grumman was awarded the contract to develop the first stealth bomber, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop a contract for a new bomber: the B-21 Raider. While many of the details of the Raider are shrouded in mystery, we do know a few things about it, and can infer others.(This first appeared in 2017.)The B-21 Raider bomber takes its name from both the twenty-first century and the legendary 1942 raid by Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle's force of B-25 Mitchell bombers against targets in and around Tokyo, Japan. In invoking the Doolittle Raid, the Air Force is drawing attention to attack's audacious nature, the strategic and tactical surprise, and the epic distances General Doolittle and his "raiders" flew to accomplish their mission.Recommended: Why Doesn't America Just Kill Kim Jong-un?
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| Sri Lanka bombings: Van explodes near church day after 200+ killed in blasts at churches, hotels Posted: 22 Apr 2019 04:30 AM PDT  The coordinated Easter Sunday bombings ripped through Sri Lankan churches and luxury hotels, killing nearly 300 people.
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| How 11 People Are Trying to Stop Fake News in the World’s Largest Election Posted: 22 Apr 2019 12:20 AM PDT  One of the operations most vital to Facebook Inc. at this moment is a world away from its Menlo Park, California, headquarters, and in more ways than one. This is Boom Live, one of seven tiny fact-checking firms at the heart of Facebook's efforts to rebuild some of its credibility during India's elections. Based on the early tallies, more than 60 percent of India's 900 million eligible voters are expected to cast ballots between now and May 19, as the center-left Congress Party tries to seize power from the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party.
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| Mueller report indicts Russia. Will Trump protect the 2020 election against Putin? Posted: 22 Apr 2019 05:30 PM PDT  Special counsel finds 'sweeping and systematic' interference in American democracy. Address this information warfare to prevent a 2016 rerun: Our view
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| Serbia pledges 1 million euros for Notre-Dame restoration Posted: 22 Apr 2019 06:07 AM PDT  Serbia on Monday said it will donate one million euros to help restore Notre-Dame Cathedral, after pro-government tabloids said the fire was "God's punishment" to France. The gift comes after two tabloids, Alo and Informer, said the blaze was divine retribution after Kosovo's flag was displayed inside the cathedral during World War I centennial commemorations in Paris last year. Serbia does not recognise the independence of Kosovo, a former southern province that broke away in a 1998-99 war.
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| Air strikes and explosions hit Libyan capital Posted: 20 Apr 2019 06:10 PM PDT  Several air strikes and explosions shook the Libyan capital Tripoli overnight, residents said, in an escalation of a two-week offensive by eastern forces on the city held by the internationally recognised government. A Reuters reporter and several residents said they saw an aircraft circling for more than 10 minutes over the capital late on Saturday, and that it made a humming sound before opening fire on several areas. An aircraft was heard again after midnight, circling for more than ten minutes before a heavy explosion shook the ground. It was not clear whether an aircraft or unmanned drone was behind the strike, which triggered heavy anti aircraft fire. Residents had reported drone strikes in recent days, but there has been no confirmation and explosions heard in the city centre this time were louder than in previous days. Residents counted several missile strikes, one of which apparently hit a military camp of forces loyal to Tripoli in the Sabaa district in the south of the capital, scene of the heaviest fighting between the rival forces. Authorities closed Tripoli's only functioning airport, cutting air links to a city of an estimated 2.5 million residents. The airport in Misrata, a city 200 km to the east, remained open. A vehicle belonging to Libyan fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) is pictured during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar south of the capital Tripoli's suburb of Ain Zara Credit: MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP The Libyan National Army (LNA) force loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar started an offensive two weeks ago but has been unable to breach the government's southern defences. If a drone strike was confirmed this would point to more sophisticated warfare. The LNA has so far mainly used ageing Soviet-made jets from the air force of Muammar Gaddafi, toppled in 2011, lacking precision firepower and helicopters, according to residents and military sources. In the past the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have supported Haftar with air strikes during campaigns to take eastern Libya. Both countries flew air strikes on Tripoli in 2014 during a different conflict to help a Haftar-allied force, US officials said at the time. Since 2014 the UAE and Egypt have provided the LNA with military equipment such as aircraft and helicopters, helping Haftar gain the upper hand in Libya's eight-year conflict, U.N. reports have established. The UAE even built an air base in Al Khadim in eastern Libya, one such report said in 2017. The air strikes, which were also filmed by residents in video posted online, came after a day of heavy clashes in southern districts, with shelling audible in the city centre. The violence spiked after the White House said on Friday that US President Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Haftar earlier in the week. The disclosure of the call and a U.S. statement that it "recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" has boosted the commander's supporters and enraged his opponents. Western powers and the Gulf have been divided over a push by Haftar's forces to seize Tripoli, undermining calls by the United Nations for a ceasefire. Both sides claimed progress in southern Tripoli on Saturday, but no more details were immediately available. A Reuters TV cameraman visiting the southern Khalat Furgan suburb heard heavy shelling but saw no apparent change in the frontline. On Friday, two children were killed in shelling in southern Tripoli, residents said. The fighting has killed 227 people and wounded 1,128, the World Heath organization (WHO) said before the air strikes. On Thursday, both the United States and Russia said they could not support a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Libya at this time. Russia objects to the British-drafted resolution blaming Haftar for the latest flare-up in violence when his LNA advanced to the outskirts of Tripoli earlier this month, diplomats said. The United States did not give a reason for its decision not to support the draft resolution, which would also call on countries with influence over the warring parties to ensure compliance and for unconditional humanitarian aid access in Libya.
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| Tiger attacks zookeeper in front of visitors: 'He is a wild animal and was acting on instinct' Posted: 22 Apr 2019 01:13 AM PDT  A beautiful spring morning at the Topeka Zoo in Kansas turned tragic when a male Sumatran tiger attacked a keeper, inflicting wounds that sent her to a hospital.Although keepers are never supposed to be in the same space as the tigers, they found themselves together in the outdoor habitat that morning for reasons under investigation."There's some sort of error that occurred here," said Brendan Wiley, the zoo's director, told a news conference. He confirmed that several visitors to the zoo had witnessed the attack.The employee is the zoo's primary tiger keeper and had worked there for years, according to Mr Wiley, who noted that part of her job is to clean and maintain the enclosure. He said that the keeper was in stable condition and that the zoo was reviewing its safety protocols.The zookeeper, whom Mr Wiley declined to name, citing her family's need for privacy, suffered "lacerations and punctures" to the back of the head, neck, back and arm. She was awake and alert when she was transported to a hospital.The attack occurred about 9:15 am and the zoo's safety protocols immediately went into effect, Mr Wiley said. A radio call alerted the staff that there was an emergency, and the zoo called 911. Nearby staff members responded to the scene to secure the tigers, and an official made the decision to temporarily close the zoo. A firearms response team also was dispatched to the tiger exhibit, but zookeepers had successfully lured the tiger away by the time it arrived."Some of our staff witnessed some things that you hope you go through a career without witnessing," Mr Wiley said.The zoo has two adult Sumatran tigers: Jingga, a female, and Sanjiv, who was brought to the zoo in August 2017. Shanna Simpson, animal care supervisor, told the Topeka Capital-Journal then that Sanjiv "is the sweetest cat I have ever met."In October, Jingga gave birth to four cubs - three males and one female.The Topeka Zoo allowed Jingga and her cubs back into their enclosures Saturday afternoon, but Sanjiv would remain in holding overnight, Mr Wiley said.City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said in an email that "nothing will happen to the tiger; he is a wild animal and was acting on instinct."Sanjiv is too valuable to conservation efforts to euthanise. Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, and only about 400 remain in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They are native to Indonesia, where deforestation, human encroachment and poaching have whittled their numbers to the brink of extinction.Some zoos participate in Sumatran tiger conservation programs designed to save the species, but these efforts are not always successful. In February, a male tiger brought to the London Zoo to mate attacked and killed its prospective female partner.The Washington Post
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| Oil prices jump as Trump cracks down on Iranian exports Posted: 22 Apr 2019 02:52 PM PDT  Oil prices jumped to near six-month highs on Monday as the Trump administration cracked down on Iranian oil exports, announcing it would no longer grant waivers from US sanctions.
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| View Photos of the Vonnen Porsche 911 Hybrid Posted: 22 Apr 2019 12:00 AM PDT |
| South Korea to Hold Summit Anniversary Event Without North Korea Posted: 21 Apr 2019 02:09 AM PDT ![South Korea to Hold Summit Anniversary Event Without North Korea]( "South Korea to Hold Summit Anniversary Event Without North Korea") Seoul's Ministry of Unification in charge of inter-Korean affairs said in a statement Sunday that the event, featuring artists from South Korea, the U.S., China and Japan, will be held on April 27 at the border town of Panmunjom. The absence of North Korean participation highlights the challenges facing inter-Korean relations.
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| Rudy Giuliani: There's 'Nothing Wrong' With Trump Campaign Taking Information From Russians Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:09 AM PDT  Robert Mueller's report detailed over 100 interactions between Trump's associates and Russians
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| Amazon sale gets you a Dyson cordless vacuum for just $140, today only Posted: 22 Apr 2019 09:53 AM PDT ![Amazon sale gets you a Dyson cordless vacuum for just $140, today only]( "Amazon sale gets you a Dyson cordless vacuum for just $140, today only") Dyson's newest cordless vacuum is the V11 and it costs as much as $700. That's no typo... the V11 Torque costs $700! It's a phenomenal vacuum of course, but $700 is a whole lot of money to spend on something that sucks up dirt off the floor. If you don't need all of Dyson's new bells and whistles though, you can score a great cordless vacuum for a tiny fraction of that price. Amazon is running a one-day sale on Dyson V6 Motorhead Cord Free Vacuum refurbs for just $149.99, and they're of course guaranteed and warrantied. So what are you going to do with the $550 you just saved?Here are the bullet points from the product page: * 75% more brush bar power than the V6 Cord-free vacuum * Cord-free. Hassle-free. Quickly and easily clean when you need to * Up to 20 minutes of continuous suction. Trigger releases instantly. Also features max power mode - which provides up to 6 minutes of higher suction for more difficult tasks * The Direct-drive cleaner head drives bristles deeper into the carpet to remove even more dirt. 15 cyclones, arranged across two tiers, work in parallel to increase airflow and capture fine dust * Quickly convert to a handheld for quick clean ups, spot cleaning and cleaning difficult places. Includes convenient docking station that stores and charges the machine, and holds additional attachments. So it's always ready to go * This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, includes all original accessories, and a 6 month Dyson limited warranty against original defects in materials & workmanship; warranty covers private household use in accordance with the owner's manual
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| Land Rover's Unsung Heroes Hit Big Anniversaries For 2019! Posted: 21 Apr 2019 01:44 PM PDT  Four anniversaries sure to resonate with Land Rover enthusiasts the world over will be celebrated at the upcoming 2019 Land Rover Legends show. The event is due to take place over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May at Bicester Heritage, a former WWII RAF station in Oxfordshire UK, which has hosted numerous historic motoring events in recent years. Is The Land Rover Freelander A Modern Classic?
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| Should Catholics keep their faith? Sex abuse scandals prompt more to personally question ties to church, poll finds Posted: 22 Apr 2019 10:44 AM PDT  Amid the latest spate of allegations of sexual abuse by priests, an increasing percentage of Catholics are re-examining their commitment to the religion, new poll shows.
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| Turkish opposition leader safe after attack at soldier's funeral Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:55 AM PDT  Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the secularist Republican People's Party (CHP) that pulled off victories in the March 31 vote, had attended a funeral for one of four Turkish soldiers killed on Friday in clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose AK Party wants the election results annulled in Istanbul, had repeatedly warned during last month's campaign that PKK members were among the CHP's list of candidates. The PKK clashes in the country's southeast on Friday prompted several pro-government newspapers to tie the soldiers' deaths to the CHP.
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| Samsung delays launch of folding Galaxy smartphone Posted: 22 Apr 2019 11:22 AM PDT  Samsung on Monday said it is delaying the launch of its folding smartphone after trouble with handsets sent to reviewers. Some reviewers who got their hands on the Galaxy Fold early reported problems with screens breaking. The South Korean consumer electronics giant planned to announce a new release date for the Galaxy Fold in the coming weeks.
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| Rep. Dan Kildee: The crisis in Central America is appearing at our border Posted: 21 Apr 2019 08:45 AM PDT  As monthly apprehensions of illegal immigrants on the border hits a 12-year high, Chief Deputy Whip Dan Kildee urges comprehensive reform of the immigration system.
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| 'We have a nation which has stunning injustices': Senate Democrats start new environmental push Posted: 22 Apr 2019 03:00 AM PDT  Booker says he has had "some luck" working with Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama on environmental issues. Duckworth's ambitions for the caucus are certainly not modest.
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| Democrats Make Sure Trump Can’t Escape Mueller Posted: 22 Apr 2019 08:51 AM PDT ![Democrats Make Sure Trump Can't Escape Mueller]( "Democrats Make Sure Trump Can't Escape Mueller") Trump arrived Thursday to his Mar-a-Lago resort with the swagger of a conquering hero, after Mueller reiterated that he had found no evidence of a conspiracy between Trump and Russia to interfere in the 2016 election. The president high-fived supporters at the Palm Beach airport and pumped his fists. Lawmakers back in Washington as well as the media focused on Mueller's depiction of a president who repeatedly sought to interfere in the Russia investigation while deceiving the public about his actions.
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| 75+ Perfect Mother's Day Gifts For $50 or Less Posted: 22 Apr 2019 08:26 AM PDT |
| Tesla probes car fire in Shanghai Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:50 PM PDT  US electric auto maker Tesla said Monday it had launched an investigation after a video circulating in China showed one of its cars suddenly burst into flames in a garage in Shanghai. The security camera footage has become on the hottest topics on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform since it was posted on Sunday, now viewed 22 million times with the hashtag "Tesla self-ignites". It is the latest incident to hit Tesla this year, just as it is stepping up its presence in China.
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| Why the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 Is Tough to Beat Posted: 21 Apr 2019 04:00 AM PDT  Newfound consumer interest in the subcompact handgun has led many gun manufacturers to introduce smaller––but still potent––pistols that can be carried discretely as a backup gun or concealed carry piece.But which ones are worth your time and money? One such example is the Smith & Wesson M&P; Bodyguard 380. One of the best of the new generation of subcompact handguns, it also has the most favorable dimensions and weight for those requiring packable firepower.The Smith & Wesson M&P; Bodyguard 380 is a second generation subcompact pistol that takes over from––and is functionally identical to––the first generation Bodyguard. The pistol is a small frame, double action semi-automatic designed for concealed carry. Unlike the larger M&P; handguns it is not a striker fired weapon, instead using a more traditional hammer and firing pin operating system. The gun lacks an external hammer, making it incapable of single action fire and the lighter trigger pull that entails. The double action hammer pull is rated by reviewers at 9.5 pounds and is described as "smooth" and "easy to use."
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| Pakistan's Prime Minister Khan in Iran to talk security, ties Posted: 21 Apr 2019 09:01 AM PDT ![Pakistan's Prime Minister Khan in Iran to talk security, ties]( "Pakistan's Prime Minister Khan in Iran to talk security, ties") Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Iran on Sunday to discuss security and regional issues, Iranian state TV reported, a day after Islamabad urged Tehran to act against militants behind killings in Pakistan's Baluchistan province. A new umbrella group representing various insurgent groups operating in Baluchistan claimed responsibility for an attack on Thursday when 14 passengers were killed after being kidnapped from buses in the province, which borders Iran. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday the training and logistical camps of the new alliance that carried out the attack were inside Iran and called for Iran to take action against the insurgents.
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| Top Apple insider reveals when the first 5G iPhone will be released Posted: 22 Apr 2019 10:39 AM PDT  It seems increasingly unlikely that Apple will enter the 5G era in 2019, but the pieces are beginning to fall into place for the company to take advantage of the technology in the near future. In a new research note, the incredibly prolific analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasts that Apple's 2020 iPhone models will be the first to support 5G.In order for Apple's 5G ambitions to be realized, it will need to acquire 5G modems. That's where Qualcomm comes into play. If you have been keeping up with the news in recent weeks, you probably heard about Apple and Qualcomm surprisingly settling their patent dispute. The settlement included a license and chipset supply agreement, which Kuo believes will result in Qualcomm becoming a primary supplier of 5G modems for the iPhone.In addition to Qualcomm, Kuo also expects Samsung to become a supplier of 5G modems in select markets. This will allow Apple to diversify its supply chain to lower risk of inadequate supply and reduce costs. Here's an excerpt from Ming-Chi Kuo's latest research note, shared by MacRumors on Monday morning:> Apple and Qualcomm's end of patent dispute and entrance into a six-year licensing deal implies new 2H20 iPhone models will support 5G; Qualcomm and Samsung are potential 5G baseband chip suppliers: The market was worried that Intel's disappointing 5G baseband chip development might be the most severe uncertainty for the new 2H20 iPhone models' adoption of 5G. But we believe the uncertainty has been removed after Apple and Qualcomm's end of patent dispute and entrance into a six-year licensing deal, and Intel's announcement that it will exit the 5G baseband chip business. We expect Apple will likely adopt 5G baseband chips made by Qualcomm (focus on mmWave markets) and Samsung (focus on Sub-6GHz markets) for lowering supply risk, reducing costs and having better bargaining power.Although Apple won't be the first to market with a 5G phone (or the second or the third, for that matter), the rollout of 5G service has only just begun in the United States and around the world. By the time the 2020 iPhone models land, presumably in September of that year, 5G will still be in its infancy. In other words, while Apple may fall behind some of its fiercest rivals, being late to the party might not end up meaning much in this instance.
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| Tell USA TODAY: What was an overlooked sign in a toxic relationship you can point to now? Posted: 21 Apr 2019 06:01 AM PDT ![Tell USA TODAY: What was an overlooked sign in a toxic relationship you can point to now?]( "Tell USA TODAY: What was an overlooked sign in a toxic relationship you can point to now?") Join the national conversation by sending us a letter at letters@usatoday.com for a chance to get your thoughts published at USA TODAY.
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| Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators Posted: 21 Apr 2019 03:00 AM PDT  Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators From Consumer Reports' Tests The appliances you buy can have a big impact on your energy bill, and those costs get baked into your fixed expenses for years to...
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| Ilhan Omar: Somali Americans vow to stand up to Trump attacks Posted: 20 Apr 2019 10:00 PM PDT  After being accused of endangering one of the city's US representatives, the president visited Minneapolis. Activists were there to meet himProtesters support Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar, outside an event attended by Donald Trump this week. Photograph: Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty ImagesAs she stood in a crowd of protesters, helping hold a long "Stand with Ilhan" sign outside the trucking company in Burnsville where Donald Trump was about to speak, Habon Abdulle could not help but be swept up in the contradictory emotions of the moment.As a hijab-wearing Muslim woman who speaks with a slight Somali accent, and as executive director of Women Organizing Women (Wow) Network, a not-for-profit group dedicated to training and supporting East African immigrants who run for office, Abdulle had more than a passing familiarity with the some of the views reflected in signs and chants among a crowd of Trump supporters lined up across the street.There was the idea that Muslims were as a whole responsible for 9/11, and that the congresswoman Ilhan Omar and her supporters were affiliated with terrorist groups. There was another oldie-but-goodie: that the city of Minneapolis, like many urban centers dealing with an affordable housing shortage driven by an influx of new residents, is filled with crime-ridden "no go" zones governed by sharia law, where police supposedly fear to tread.> We thought we passed the collective blaming, the 'punish the whole for the actions of a few'> > Habon AbdulleAbdulle was still a little surprised to see such arguments expressed so brazenly, out in the open, just as she had been a few days earlier when Trump retweeted a video meant to show Omar did not respect the tragedy of 9/11."There are conversations in my community," Abdulle told the Guardian. "We thought we passed the collective blaming, the 'punish the whole for the actions of a few'. Those were things that we experienced right after the 9/11 attack. And many of us actually thought we were done with that. But lately, it actually feels that it's back. It's really weird, like: what's going on?"> On the pro-Ilhan side of the protests, two Muslim women, @nausheena and Asma Mohammed of @RISEsisterhood led many of the chants. > > Here, @HabonDaud explains why she thought it was important that Muslim women stand in the front. pic.twitter.com/83keO83kFU> > — Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) April 20, 2019She also saw reasons for optimism. A young Muslim woman walked in front of the pro-Omar group, wearing a black hijab and a keffiyeh scarf, holding a bullhorn and leading a chant. Abdulle watched as the crowd responded, many white and older Minnesotans included. That, she thought, was something she could work with."If we don't stand up for ourselves," she asked, "who will? We have to stand up for ourselves and they felt someone who looks like them was attacked. And we were all of us out there saying, 'No.' We are not going to accept. We have rights. It isn't fair that someone always has to other us. So, we went there because that was the right place to be that day."In the same moment, from the other side of the street, a tall man with a gray scraggly beard could be overheard cracking a joke."Hey, is that Omar? They all look the same to me."He might have been on to something, but not in the way he intended. The young Muslim women in the crowd did see themselves in Omar. That was why they were out in force.> I came here to support my sister Ilhan. She's been under attack and she's been facing death threats> > Ama Mohammed"I came here to support my sister Ilhan," the keffiyeh-wearing woman, Asma Mohammed, 26, told the Guardian. "She's been under attack and she's been facing death threats consistently, but even more so after Trump tweeted things about her that make her seem like she was sympathizing with terrorists."Mohammed said Omar was more than just a political figure: "She is my sister, as Minnesotans; she is my sister as another woman of faith; as another woman who wears a hijab and faces that kind of hate on the daily."Such a mix of outrage, disappointment and incredulousness, along with a growing sense of empowerment, was common among activists the Guardian spoke to in Minneapolis in the week after Trump's tweet.Omar's office was quieter than usual, declining media requests and not issuing statements, leaving Trump to deal with the fallout from the Mueller report without his favorite new foil to spar with.But if there is one thing Trump has been consistent about in his political career, it has been the targeting of migrants and Muslims in moves meant to appeal to his base. Many observers believe he will redouble such efforts as 2020 draws near.> She's anti-American. She's anti-Jews …Everyone knew the Muslims took down those buildings in New York> > Melody BlackOmar and Trump have become intrinsically linked, and not just on Trump's terms. Omar was elected to the House of Representatives in November as part of an anti-Trump blue wave that included Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Before that, she made national news when she became the first Somali American in statewide office, on the night Trump was elected president. Her victory party at a Marriott in downtown Minneapolis was a rollercoaster, tears and dancing underscored by a sense of girding for a fight."It's going to be very tough," Omar said then. "We have to figure out how to organize the community to prepare for what's to come. We have to amplify our voices of love against the rhetoric of hate."That fight has now come, though in a more direct way than many supporters thought possible. As Trump uses Omar to galvanize his base, he will inevitably rally hers. Last Monday's rival protests outside Trump's Tax Day event signalled such battles to come.> In this clip, @nausheena and Asma Mohammed of @RISEsisterhood explain why they came to the standwithilhan protest in Burnsville on Monday. pic.twitter.com/XQFVu8sxkz> > — Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) April 20, 2019"Omar really needs to go," said Melody Black, a Trump supporter from Red Wing, Minnesota, as a man behind her held a "Making America Great Again" sign."She's anti-American. She's anti-Jews. She's anti-Minnesotan. And everyone knew that the Muslims took down those buildings in New York. All of us watched it. And now they're saying that we're racist because we say it. But it's the truth."Omar came from Somalia and her father taught her exactly how to do what she's doing – including getting into government. They're trying to take over our government, the Muslims are."Trump supporters hoist a flag and give the thumbs-up. Photograph: Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty ImagesOmar has indeed inspired other Muslim women to enter politics."Many women within the Somali community who never thought to run for office changed their mind," Abdulle said. The Minnesota state house now has its second female Somali American legislator, Hodan Hassan.Across the street from Black, Nausheena Hussain, a 42-year-old in a dark purple headscarf who directs a female-led Muslim not-for-profit organization, took her turn leading a round of chants. She said Trump's attacks on Omar had encouraged others."What I'm hearing, specially my community, is that she cannot be alone," Hussain said. "They are asking everybody to run for office that has those same progressive values, so she is not bearing the brunt of the responsibility by herself."And so I feel like 2020, you are going to see more people of color running for office, more Muslims or Muslim women, because not only do we not want her to be the only one there, but we have seen that she's able to fight and still get things done. More people need to back her up and to be part of that."Abdulle welcomed such words."That's how we are going to end the polarization," she said. "That's how we're going to end the hatred. That's how we're going to end the narrative that we are not American."I'm going to repeat the whole day long: we are American."
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| Erdogan Faces Rare Rebellion Within His Party as Economy Weakens Posted: 22 Apr 2019 05:27 AM PDT ![Erdogan Faces Rare Rebellion Within His Party as Economy Weakens]( "Erdogan Faces Rare Rebellion Within His Party as Economy Weakens") Ahmet Davutoglu, who was once Erdogan's handpicked successor at the helm of the ruling AK Party, said it "must face the reality of decreasing public support" due to "arrogant" policies. The former prime minister's written statement on Monday avoided any personal criticism of Erdogan, though ripped into policies under the president from the management of economy to curbing of basic liberties and the pressure on free speech. "We can't manage the economic crisis that's in play by denying its existence," said Davutoglu, who is still an AKP member, though no longer in parliament.
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| Target recalling nearly half million wooden toys because of possible choking hazard Posted: 22 Apr 2019 02:29 PM PDT ![Target recalling nearly half million wooden toys because of possible choking hazard]( "Target recalling nearly half million wooden toys because of possible choking hazard") Target is recalling about 495,000 Bullseye's Playground wooden toy vehicles sold between October and November 2018 because of a possible choking risk.
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| The Secret Is Out: The U.S. Air Force Has Russian MiG-29s To Dogfight Posted: 21 Apr 2019 03:00 PM PDT  Soviet-built jets are likely to be expensive to maintain in the United States. But if a contractor is willing to bear the cost and it benefits the Air Force to buy those services, it might be a worthy venture.As the United States Air Force continues its struggle with fielding enough aggressor aircraft for its combat aircraft crews to train against, contractors are stepping up to the plate.(This first appeared in late 2017.)In some cases, contractors are able to field remarkable aircraft that provide an exceptionally authentic replication of enemy aircraft. Such is the case of Air USA—the company has managed to acquire three two-seat trainer versions of the Mikoyan MiG-29UB Fulcrum."The Air USA MIG 29 fleet was imported directly from a former Soviet Union nation. All aircraft are equipped with authentic former Soviet Union manufactured parts," the company states on its website. "Air USA MIG 29 aircraft are capable of performing any air to air mission providing excellent training and flight test opportunities"Recommended: Uzi: The Israeli Machine Gun That Conquered the WorldRecommended: The M4: The Gun U.S. Army Loves to Go to War With
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| British woman killed, three other people kidnapped in northern Nigeria Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:34 AM PDT ![British woman killed, three other people kidnapped in northern Nigeria]( "British woman killed, three other people kidnapped in northern Nigeria") Kidnappings are rampant in Nigeria, where both locals and foreigners are targeted — mostly for ransom. The British High Commission named the woman as Faye Mooney and said it was aware of the incident that happened late on Friday but added it would not speculate on the motive or nature of attack. Mooney was employed in Nigeria by a non-governmental organization called Mercy Corps.
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| Best Tech Deals in April 2019 Posted: 22 Apr 2019 09:17 AM PDT  Amazon Deals | Walmart Deals | Apple Deals | TV Deals | Gaming Deals | Laptop Deals | iPhone Deals Good news if you want to upgrade your arsenal of gadgets on a budget this month. Retailers are currently offering a smorgasbord of spring deals with discounts on everything from laptops to game consoles. Google is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its Project Fi phone service by slashing the price of its flagship device in half. For today only, you can score the Pixel 3 64GB Unlocked for $399 direct from Google. Normally priced at $799, that's $400 off its regular price. As an alternative, Google has the Pixel 3 XL 128GB Unlocked on sale for $499 ($500 off). To qualify for these deals, you must activate your Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL phone on Google's Fi network. Act fast, these deals end on April 22 at 11:59 am PST. Whether you're upgrading to a 4K Smart TV or purchasing your first smart device, here are the best tech deals in April. Amazon Hardware DealsAmazon is currently offering many of its branded devices at discounted pricing. * Echo Dot 3rd Gen (2-Pack) for $80 ($20 off) * Echo Dot 3rd Gen w/ 2-Bulb Smart Light Starter Kit for $90 ($110 off) * Echo Dot Kids Edition + Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for $150 ($50 off) * Echo Dot Kids Edition + Fire 7 Kids Edition for $130 ($40 off) * Echo Show 2nd Gen (2-Pack) for $360 ($100 off) * Echo Show (2nd Gen) w/ Free Smart Bulb for $230 ($15 off) * Echo 2nd Generation (2-Pack) for $170 ($30 off) * Echo 2nd Generation w/ Smart Plug for $95($30 off) * Echo Plus 2nd Gen w/ Hue Bulb for $150 ($15 off) * All-new Kindle Essentials Bundle for $125 ($45 off) * All-new Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle for $170 ($20 off) * All-New Fire HD 8 Tablet w/ Show Mode Dock for $105 ($15 off) * Ring Video Doorbell 2 w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $209 ($40 off) * Ring Spotlight Wireless Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $169 ($80 off) * Ring Spotlight Wired Cam Wired w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $199 ($50 off) * Ring Stick-Up Wireless Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $180 ($50 off) * Ring Stick-Up Wired Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $180 (80 off) * Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $199 ($50 off) * Ring Floodlight Cam w/ Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $249 ($50 off) * Ring Smart Lighting Spotlights (2-pack) for $100 ($30 off) * 20 Percent off AmazonBasics Computer Accessories Top Tech Deals Right Now * Apple iPad Air 2019 (Wi-Fi, 64GB) for $479 ($20 off) * TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router for $45 ($35 off) * Acer Aspire 3 Laptop for $399 ($100 off, Core i5/4GB/1TB) * Jaybird Run True Wireless Headphones for $130 ($50 off) * LG 27-inch FHD IPS Gaming Monitor for $130 ($99 off via coupon,"SYNC") * Apple iPad 9.7-inch (Wi-Fi, 32GB) for $280 ($49 off) * Apple AirPods Earbuds (1st Gen) for $147 ($12 off) * Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System for $199 ($50 off) * Bose SoundTouch 300 Soundbar for $499 ($200 off) * Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 Tablet for $159 ($141 off) [PRICE DROP] TV Deals * TCL 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart for $819 ($181 off) also at Walmart [NEW] * Samsung 43-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $698 ($102 off) * Samsung 49-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $898 ($102 off) * Samsung 55-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $1,098 ($100 off) * Samsung 65-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $1,598 ($200 off) * Samsung 75-inch Q60 Series 4K QLED Smart TV (2019) for $2,798 ($202 off) * RCA 55-inch 4K UHD Roku Smart TV w/ HDR for $320 ($480 off) * Vizio 50-inch 4K UHD Smart TV w/ HDR for $298 ($200 off) * Sharp 65-inch 4K Smart TV for $500 ($300 off) [PRICE DROP] Tech Under $50 * Anker 5-in-1 USB C Hub for $27 ($19 off) * MS Xbox Wireless Controller (White) for $44 ($16 off) * SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSD Card for $22 ($47 off) * SanDisk Ultra Flair 16GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive for $7 ($8 off) * SanDisk Cruzer 64GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $9 ($31 off) * Netgear WiFi Range Extender for $25 ($22 off) Smartwatch Deals * Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 38mm) for $199 ($80 off) * Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 42mm) for $229 ($80 off) * Fitbit Ionic GPS Smartwatch for $218 ($52 off) * Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch for $130 ($120 off) * Garmin Approach X40 Activity Tracker for $173 ($77 off) * Garmin Vivofit 3 Activity Tracker for $58 ($45 off) Phones * Google Pixel 3 64GB Unlocked (Google Fi) for $399 ($400 off, ends 4/22) [NEW] * Google Pixel 3 XL 128GB Unlocked (Google Fi) for $499 ($500 off, ends 4/22) [NEW] * Google Pixel 3 64GB (Verizon) for $499.92 ($300 off) [NEW] * Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Unlocked for $709 ($291 off) * Apple iPhone SE Unlocked for $249 ($100 off) Cameras * Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera for $49 ($20 off) [NEW] * Panasonic Lumix 4K Point-and-Shoot Camera for $250 ($150 off) * Canon PowerShot SX530 Digital Camera for $249 ($130 off) * Blink XT Home Security 2 Camera System for $140 ($90 off) * Blink XT Home Security Camera System for $80 ($50 off) * Arlo Wireless 4-Camera Home Security System for $250 ($200 off) Games and Consoles * MS Xbox One S 1TB Battlefield V Bundle for $200 ($100 off) * MS Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Creators Bundle for $200 ($100 off) * Call of Duty: Black Ops for PS4 for $30 ($30 off) * God of War for $24 ($16 off, ends 4/23) * Kingdom Hearts 3 for PS4 for $37 ($23 off) * Kingdom Heart 3 for Xbox One for $40 ($20 off) * Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch for $50 ($10 off) * Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4 for $38 ($22 off) also at Amazon * Far Cry New Dawn for Xbox One for $24 ($16 off) * Up to $45 off Xbox One Games at Microsoft
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| Philips Hue white LED bulbs still cost $10 each, but they won’t be this cheap for long Posted: 22 Apr 2019 04:54 AM PDT  Amazon is running a sale right now that lets you save a bunch of money on popular Philips Hue products, like $12 off the company's wildly popular A19 color LED bulbs. But that's not the most notable sale on the site. Last week we told you that Philips Hue White A19 Dimmable LED Smart Bulbs were down to just $10 each when you bought a 4-pack, and we have some seriously great news if you missed it: the deal is still going! There's no telling how much longer this killer deal will be around, so if you want Philips Hue white bulbs at their lowest price ever, now is the time to get them.Here's more info from the product page: * VOICE ACTIVATED: The Philips Hue White Starter Kit works with Alexa for voice control (smart hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately). For the full Hue experience and to take advantage of voice activation purchase the Philips Hue Hub (Model: 458471). Search "Philips Hue Hub" or "B016H0QZ7I" to find this product on Amazon. * LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Add additional Smart light points to your smart home and expand your Philips Hue ecosystem with this 4-bulb White Smart Bulb pack. Requires the Philips Hue Hub for full experience, sold separately. * TAKE CONTROL: Turn smart lights on/off, dim to the desired level and set up schedules from wherever you have WiFi connection using the Philips Hue App (iOS and Android). Control your Philips Hue lights with your voice using Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. * EASY INSTALLATION: To install the Philips Hue white 4 pack starter kit, simply screw the smart bulbs into your desired light location, download the Hue mobile app and pair your Hue Bridge (sold separately). Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App. * EXPAND YOUR SMART HOME: Connect the smart bulbs directly to your other Smart Home Devices like Amazon Echo Plus, Nest, or SmartThings systems. Easily expand your smart lighting system with accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor
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| 10 Home Decor Sales We’re Excited About This Week Posted: 22 Apr 2019 10:26 AM PDT  Consider us your personal shoppers
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| President attends Easter service following slew of tweets Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:42 AM PDT  PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Easter morning offered condolences to the people of Sri Lanka, continued his attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and attended service at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea near his Florida estate.
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| Ukraine comedian Zelensky wins presidency in landslide Posted: 21 Apr 2019 09:33 PM PDT A comedian with no political experience won a landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election, drawing congratulations from global leaders while dealing a stunning rebuke to his country's political establishment. Volodymyr Zelensky, whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, trounced incumbent Petro Poroshenko by taking 73.2 percent of the vote, according to nearly complete official results released early Monday. Poroshenko garnered just 24.4 percent, losing to the 41-year-old comedian and actor across the country, with 85 percent of ballots counted after Sunday's election.
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| Little-known Islamist group NTJ accused in Sri Lanka blasts Posted: 22 Apr 2019 06:32 AM PDT  Before being named prime suspects in Sri Lanka's Easter bomb suicide attacks, National Thowheeth Jama'ath's main claim to fame was being linked to vandalising of Buddhist statues. After long wrangling with radical Buddhist leaders, suicide bomb attacks against churches and hotels would be a spectacular departure for the little-known Islamic extremist group. Cabinet minister and government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne on Monday said authorities believed the NTJ was behind Sunday's attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels in which 290 people died.
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| The 2020 Jaguar XE in Photos Posted: 22 Apr 2019 11:47 AM PDT |
| 2 found dead in Newport Beach Posted: 22 Apr 2019 08:36 AM PDT  A death investigation was underway in Newport Beach after two people were found dead.
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