| Muslim US army veteran's plot to bomb white supremacist rally 'thwarted at last moment' Posted: 29 Apr 2019 10:20 PM PDT  An alleged terror plot by a Muslim army veteran to bomb a white supremacist rally has been thwarted, according to authorities.Mark Domingo, 26, an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan, was arrested by federal agents while allegedly putting the final touches to a plan to plant a bomb at a Nazi rally in Long Beach, prosecutors have said.Mr Domingo was arrested last Friday on a charge of providing material support to terrorists and a criminal complaint said he had been planning since March to "manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder".Court papers claim Mr Domingo discussed with an informant different types of attacks that included targeting Jews, churches and police officers.Mr Domingo allegedly said he wanted revenge for attacks on mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month.He allegedly bought parts, including nails, for an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered, but in fact contained inert materials, FBI agent Tasha Coolidge said in an affidavit filed in US District Court in Los Angeles.If they survived the planned bombing at Bluff Park, Mr Domingo discussed launching further attacks on the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles or on a train, the papers said.White nationalists never showed up to the planned event in Bluff Park, but a large group of counter protesters demonstrated.A message left on a phone listed for Mr Domingo was not immediately returned.With Associated Press
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| Maduro ally Turkey berates Venezuelan opposition for uprising call Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:51 AM PDT  Turkey's government defended its ally President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela on Tuesday, saying opposition calls for a military uprising against him threatened the constitutional order. Opposition leader Juan Guaido urged the military to help oust Maduro and violence broke out at protests in a new crisis point after years of chaos and divisions. The United States is among some 50 countries recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's president and has imposed sanctions to try and dislodge Maduro whom they say rigged an election last year.
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| NRA Re-Elects Embattled Leader Wayne LaPierre Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:48 PM PDT  The vote came Monday, following a weekend of drama in the group's highest ranks, including barb trading between LaPierre and North over allegations that LaPierre had engaged in self-dealing. The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed it is investigating the NRA's nonprofit status after the New Yorker published the allegations against LaPierre.
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| Seattle crane collapse: 'Words can't describe what a good partner he was,' says widow of one of 4 killed Posted: 29 Apr 2019 11:11 AM PDT  Among those who were killed in the Seattle crane collapse were two ironworkers and a student.
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| Officials: Parents of suspect among 7 killed in Tennessee Posted: 29 Apr 2019 04:56 PM PDT  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The man suspected of killing his parents and five other people in two rural Tennessee homes stole the car of one of the victims and was wearing a blood-stained T-shirt when he was seen, telling acquaintances the stain was just chocolate, according to authorities and court documents.
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| Japan rings in new era as Naruhito becomes emperor Posted: 30 Apr 2019 08:14 AM PDT  A new era dawned in Japan on Wednesday as Naruhito officially became emperor at midnight following his father's historic abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest monarchy. The 59-year-old Naruhito will formally take possession of the sacred imperial regalia at a solemn ceremony later Wednesday but he became the 126th emperor at the stroke of midnight, ushering in the "Reiwa" imperial era. During a 10-minute ceremony in the Imperial Palace's elegant Room of Pine, he stopped to offer a hand to his wife of 60 years, Michiko, as she stepped down from the stage and poignantly paused before exiting the room, bowing deeply to the 300 invited guests.
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| Medicare for All Would Also Be Expensive for All Posted: 30 Apr 2019 05:00 AM PDT  Most of the Democrats' proposals claim that they can reduce costs, but they cannot do so unless they take on two of the most sympathetic and powerful actors in the U.S. health care system: hospitals and physicians. Both of them are more likely to co-opt Medicare for All than to allow it to harm their interests. To get a sense of their influence, consider that only about 21 percent of U.S. health care costs are attributable to drug and insurance companies.
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| Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State group's elusive leader Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:26 PM PDT  Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in an IS propaganda video released Monday, remains the world's most wanted man, despite the jihadists' "caliphate" imploding weeks ago. After declaring himself caliph in 2014, Baghdadi held sway over seven million people across swathes of Syria and Iraq, where IS implemented its brutal version of Islamic law. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but the man said to be Baghdadi referred to last week's deadly attack in Sri Lanka and to the months-long fight for IS's final bastion Baghouz, which ended in late March.
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| 1,000 Muslim refugees flee homes after Sri Lanka retaliation attacks Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:07 AM PDT  Around 1,000 Muslim refugees in Sri Lanka have been forced from their homes in retaliatory attacks following the Easter Sunday bombings, according to Human Rights Watch. Mobs threatened to destroy the houses of Afghans, Pakistanis and Iranians - most of whom are part of minority Muslim sects such as the Ahmadiyya - who had fled to Sri Lanka after suffering persecution in their homelands. Some also reported that they had been beaten up by gangs wielding sticks and stones. A small number of Christian refugees from the three countries have also been caught up in attacks through mistaken identity. "The people in Pakistan attacked us and say we're not Muslims," said Tariq Ahmed, a 58-year-old Pakistani Ahmadiyya told Associated Press. "Then in Sri Lanka, people attack us because they say we are Muslims." Around 650 refugees have sought shelter at a mosque in the city of Pasyala, near Negombo. Nine suicide bombers targeted a number of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in 253 deaths, including at least eight Brits Credit: Reuters/Reuters Others are believed to be staying in police stations or local schools while 30 Iranians have barricaded themselves inside their homes. Human Rights Watch called on the Sri Lankan government to protect its 1,600 asylum seekers as well as the broader population. "Sri Lankan authorities not only have a responsibility to apprehend those responsible for the heinous East Sunday attacks but also to protect all those now at heightened risk," said Meenakshi Ganguly, Director for South Asia. "This means providing safe and secure shelter for refugees and asylum seekers, but also taking prompt legal action against anyone who threatens them." Anti-Muslim backlash in Sri Lanka is at an all-time high as a result of the horrific Easter Sunday terror attacks. Nine suicide bombers with links to Islamic State blew themselves up in churches and hotels, killing 253 people. The Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency while it attempts to re-establish control. An entire island-wide curfew was in place until Sunday and is still being upheld in three districts of the country. A ban on clothing which conceals the face, including the burqa, has also been introduced while police hunt for suspects. So far, over 100 people have been arrested in conjunction with the attacks while 15 suspected militants and their families died during a police raid in the east of the country on Friday.
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| Venezuela foreign minister says Maduro in control, blames Washington for violence Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:53 AM PDT  Guaido called for a military uprising and armed factions exchanged gunfire outside a Caracas air base on Tuesday, although the incident fizzled out and did not appear to be part of an immediate attempt by the opposition to take power through military force. "It is not a coup attempt from the military. This is directly planned in Washington, in the Pentagon and Department of State, and by Bolton," Arreaza told Reuters in a phone interview from Caracas, referring to U.S. national security adviser John Bolton.
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| Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:27 PM PDT ![Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike]( "Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike") NASA is conducting a drill this week to see how we'd prepare if a giant asteroid was hurtling toward the Earth.
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| The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS In Photos Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:35 AM PDT |
| Trump orders tough new restrictions that would turn 'asylum on its head' Posted: 29 Apr 2019 11:55 PM PDT  President Donald Trump issued new restrictions on asylum seekers at the Mexican border on Monday – including application fees and work permit restraints – and ordered that cases in the already clogged immigration courts be settled within 180 days.In a memo sent to Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of homeland security, and Attorney General William Barr, the president took another step to reshape asylum law, which is determined by Congress, from the White House.The restrictions do not take effect immediately.Mr Trump gave administration officials 90 days to figure out how his orders could be carried out.They are among the first significant changes to asylum policy since Mr McAleenan replaced Kirstjen Nielsen as homeland security secretary and the president signalled he would take a tougher stance on the asylum-seekers swamping the border.The administration has already restricted the number of migrants who can apply for asylum per day, who qualifies for asylum and where they must wait for a resolution – immigrations that have been the subject of multiple federal court cases.Carrying out the president's orders will be an early test for Mr McAleenan, who was named acting secretary this month."The purpose of this memorandum is to strengthen asylum procedures to safeguard our system against rampant abuse of our asylum process," Mr Trump said in the memo.The memo did not make clear how the plans would be carried out in immigration courts.More than 800,000 cases are pending, with an average wait time of almost two years.The Trump administration added to that backlog when it directed immigration authorities to reopen thousands of non-violent removal cases.The memo specifically called for the authorities to set a fee for asylum-seekers filing their claims and for their work permit applications.Migrants who have entered or tried to enter the United States illegally would also be barred from receiving a work permit until their claim is adjudicated."There's a reason that we give people work permits while they are waiting for asylum, so that they can support themselves and don't have to be depending on government assistance during that time," Michelle Brané, the director of migrant rights and justice at the Women's Refugee Commission.This month, the White House took action over the rising number of border crossings when Trump forced out Ms Nielsen, who oversaw attempts to tighten the asylum process and the administration's family separations policy.The next day, the White House pushed out multiple other homeland security officials."The Coyotes and Drug Cartels are in total control of the Mexico side of the Southern Border," President Trump said last night on Twitter. "They have labs nearby where they make drugs to sell into the U.S. "Mexico, one of the most dangerous country's in the world, must eradicate this problem now. Also, stop the MARCH to U.S."One of Trump's White House aides, Stephen Miller, has berated homeland security officials over what the White House sees as a broken immigration system.At the current pace of nearly 100,000 migrants each month, officials estimate more than 1 million people will have tried to cross the border within a year.While most migrants pass their initial interview, only about 20 per cent of asylum-seekers ultimately win the right to live and work in the United States.Applicants must show evidence of past persecution and establish a "well-founded" fear that they would face danger if they returned home.Ms Brané said the new restrictions would turn "asylum on its head"."The entire idea of asylum is that it's something that you need because you are fleeing some sort of violence or persecution," she said, "and to then say that it's only accessible to people who can pay a fee doesn't make sense."Speaking of the Trump administration's broader approach to asylum, she said, "All of it has been aimed at reducing the number of people who can access the system as opposed to reducing the need for asylum by addressing root causes."Mr McAleenan, a former commissioner for Customs and Border Protection, helped carry out the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy to prosecute parents caught crossing the border illegally, which led to family separations.But he has also emphasised the importance of aid to Central American countries – even though Trump cut State Department funding to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala this year.The acting secretary is seen by many as someone who can appeal to both Democrats and Republicans on the hill.He will have an opportunity on Tuesday, when he's expected to testify in front of the House Appropriations Committee.A spokesman for homeland security declined to comment on Monday.The New York Times
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| Boeing says did not intentionally deactivate 737 MAX safety feature Posted: 29 Apr 2019 01:40 PM PDT ![Boeing says did not intentionally deactivate 737 MAX safety feature]( "Boeing says did not intentionally deactivate 737 MAX safety feature") Boeing Co said on Monday it did not "intentionally or otherwise" deactivate a safety alert for its angle-of-attack sensors on its 737 MAX aircraft, responding to reports the planemaker failed to tell Southwest Airlines Co and the U.S aviation regulator that the safety feature was deactivated before recent crashes. "The disagree alert was tied or linked into the angle of attack indicator, which is an optional feature on the MAX. Unless an airline opted for the angle of attack indicator, the disagree alert was not operable," Boeing said in a statement.
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| Man arrested over knives at Japan prince's school desk: media Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:58 AM PDT  Japanese police on Monday arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with two paring knives found at the school desk of Prince Hisahito, grandson of Emperor Akihito, local media reported. The incident comes as authorities were beefing up security ahead of the popular emperor's abdication on Tuesday after a 30-year reign. The man, identified as Kaoru Hasegawa, was arrested on suspicion of illegally entering the premises of the junior high school the 12-year-old prince attends on Friday, public broadcaster NHK and other news reports said.
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| Kidnapping averted as 8-year-old 'hero' pulls sister from moving car, police say Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:52 AM PDT  An 8-year-old and his older sister jumped out of a moving vehicle that was being stolen with them inside, Ohio police say.
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| Barr's Mueller Report Testimony in Doubt Amid Dispute Over Questions Posted: 29 Apr 2019 04:24 AM PDT  As tensions have escalated between House Democrats and the Trump administration
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| Venezuela's political crisis exposes policy divisions in EU Posted: 30 Apr 2019 12:25 PM PDT  MADRID (AP) — European countries urged restraint in Venezuela on Tuesday and called for new elections as a way to settle the political crisis in the South American country, but there wasn't a unified voice immediately on whether to support or condemn the opposition's move to oust President Nicolás Maduro.
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| Chase tried to motivate customers with lower bank balances. It backfired badly. Posted: 30 Apr 2019 12:42 PM PDT  Chase Bank tried to offer customers on Twitter some #MondayMotivation to save money. The backlash was so strong the banking giant deleted their tweet.
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| US consumer spending jumps in March; inflation remains tame Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:48 AM PDT  American consumer spending leapt last month to post the biggest gain in 10 years, recovering from a weak start to 2019, while inflation remained tame, according to government data released Monday. The strong finish to the third quarter comes a day before the Federal Reserve is due to meet, with markets overwhelmingly expecting the central bank to leave interest rates untouched. The latest figures confirm the picture of steady economic growth in the first quarter that were released Friday in the Commerce Department's GDP report.
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| Sri Lanka Easter bombings show Trump is wrong on ISIS Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:51 PM PDT  The Islamic State lost its caliphate in Syria, but terrorist attacks have increased fivefold since 2001. Now is no time for complacency: Our view
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| Taiwan Foxconn chairman traveling tonight for U.S. White House meet-source Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:18 AM PDT ![Taiwan Foxconn chairman traveling tonight for U.S. White House meet-source]( "Taiwan Foxconn chairman traveling tonight for U.S. White House meet-source") The chairman of Apple supplier Foxconn will travel to the United States tonight for a meeting in the White House that is believed to be related to an investment in Wisconsin, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Foxconn said earlier this month it remains committed to its contract to build a display plant and tech research facilities in Wisconsin, days after the U.S. state's governor said he wanted to renegotiate the deal. In January, Reuters reported that Foxconn is reconsidering plans to make advanced liquid crystal display panels at a $10 billion Wisconsin campus, and said it intends to hire mostly engineers and researchers rather than the manufacturing workforce the project originally promised.
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| Boeing wins confidence of shareholders, prepares for key 737 MAX test flight Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:09 PM PDT  Boeing executives successfully beat back shareholder challenges to their authority on Monday as the company signaled it expects regulators to take a key step next week in the effort to get the 737 MAX back in the air following two deadly crashes. The aerospace giant, under scrutiny following the crashes that killed 346 passengers and crew and grounded the MAX worldwide, won a vote of confidence from its investors, even as company management faced tough questions over plane design and the possible missteps in getting the aircraft to market. Boeing expects the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a test flight by the end of next week of the software fix the company developed for the flight system on the 737 MAX, a company spokesman said Monday.
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| Japan celebrates as new emperor Naruhito set to formally assume throne Posted: 30 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT  Former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stepped down on Tuesday after three decades as the nation's top royals in a brief, simple ceremony, with Akihito thanking the people of Japan and saying he prayed for peace. Naruhito, 59, technically succeeded his father just as Tuesday became Wednesday but his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne will be formalized in a mid-morning ceremony, the first part of which his wife and other female royals will not be able to attend. Naruhito, the first emperor born after World War Two and the first to be raised solely by his parents, said on his birthday in February that succeeding his father "makes me solemn".
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| Beto O’Rourke Proposes $5 Trillion Plan to Reach Net-Zero Emissions Posted: 29 Apr 2019 09:43 AM PDT  The former congressman from the oil and natural gas producing state of Texas said he would put the U.S. back in the Paris Agreement, if elected, and seek legislation in his first 100 days in office to set a "legally enforceable" requirement that the nation remove as much greenhouse gases as it emits, with half of that goal completed by 2030. The legislation would include a requirement that public companies measure and disclose climate risks as well as greenhouse gas emissions in their operations and supply chains. O'Rourke also said he would halt new fossil fuel leases on federal land.
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| Funeral service for San Diego synagogue victim who shielded rabbi held Monday, and more updates Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:02 PM PDT  Lori Gilbert-Kaye was killed Saturday at a shooting at Chabad of Poway near San Diego. Her funeral was held Monday. Here's what you need to know.
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| Key events leading toward uprising in Venezuela Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:54 AM PDT  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, accompanied by civilian protesters and a small contingent of heavily armed troops, called Tuesday for the military to rise up and oust socialist leader Nicolás Maduro. Here's a timeline of recent events leading up to that revolt:
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| Donald Trump sues Deutsche Bank and Capital One in bid to block info going to Congress Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:05 AM PDT  Donald Trump, his family and the Trump Organisation have filed a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to stop them releasing financial and banking records to Congress. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in a Manhattan court, argues that the subpoenas issued for documents by two Democrat-controlled congressional committees overstepped the mark and should not be acted on. Deutsche Bank was a longtime lender to Mr Trump before he took office. The US president's sons Donald Jr. and Eric and daughter Ivanka also put their names to the lawsuit. The development escalates a battle between the Democrats, who now control the House of Representatives, and the White House, which is opposing some demands for documents and witnesses. The House's Intelligence and Financial Services Committees both recently issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank as part of an investigation into Mr Trump's finances. Donald Trump with his daughter Ivanka, who is a senior White House adviser Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria The Trumps want a federal judge to declare the subpoenas unlawful and unenforceable. The lawsuit also seeks to block the financial institutions from disclosing information and complying with the subpoenas. "The subpoenas were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the president and his family, and to ferret about for any material that might be used to cause him political damage," the lawsuit said. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, called Democrats "deranged" and the subpoenas a form of "presidential harassment." "This is all these people do," he said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends. "They don't want to do their jobs. They want to harass Trump." The US Capitol Credit: KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images The Democrat chairmen of the two congressional committees, Adam Schiff and Maxine Waters, issued a joint statement accusing Mr Trump of trying to "put off meaningful accountability as long as possible". They said: "The meritless lawsuit filed today by President Trump to block duly authorised subpoenas to non-governmental entities is another demonstration of the depths to which President Trump will go to obstruct Congress's constitutional oversight authority." Deutsche Bank spokeswoman Kerrie McHugh said: "We remain committed to providing appropriate information to all authorised investigations and will abide by a court order regarding such investigations." Capital One did not immediately comment.
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| Teen suicide rates spiked immediately after Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why was released, study claims Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:25 AM PDT  The suicide rate among US teenage boys rose the month after the release of 13 Reasons Why, a show which focused on an adolescent girl who ended her own life, a new study claims.Researchers examined the number of suicides in children aged 10 to 17-years-old, from January 2013 to December 2017.The show was released in March 2017.In April 2017 the suicide rate was 0.57 per 100,000 people, which was nearly 30 per cent higher than in the preceding five years examined in the study. Additional analysis found that the April rate was also higher than in the previous 19 years. There were also 195 more suicides than would have been expected in the nine months following the show's release, the study's authors estimated."Contrary to expectations, these associations were restricted to boys," they said."Among 18- to 29-year-olds and 30- to 64-year-olds, we found no significant change in level or trend of suicide after the show's release, both overall and by sex."The authors added that the show's release had no impact on the rate of murders.Their report is published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.The study cannot prove that the show was the cause for the rise in suicides. Its authors acknowledge that they were unable to account for other factors that might have played a part in some deaths.But Jeff Bridge, the study's lead author, criticised the depiction of suicide in 13 Reasons Why."The creators of the series intentionally portrayed the suicide of the main character. It was a very graphic depiction of the suicide death," he said.He added that such portrayals can trigger suicidal behaviour.Experts have noted a rise in suicide rates among US adolescents across recent years.Lisa Horowitz, the study's co-author, called the issue "a major public health crisis".Critics of 13 Reasons Why have also warned previously about the show's portrayal of suicide.Netflix has included warning messages for some of its episodes and created a website for those in crisis."We've just seen the study and are looking into the research," a spokesperson for the streaming company said.He added that a University of Pennsylvania study published last week found fewer suicidal thoughts among young adults who watched the show than in non-viewers."This is a critically important topic and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," he said."Whenever a TV series covers suicide as a topic we always recommend this is dealt with carefully and the production team really pay attention to the sensitivities involved," Lorna Fraser, who leads the Samaritans' Media Advisory Service, told The Independent."Anyone feeling vulnerable when watching a suicide storyline can find they are susceptible to triggers and this can prove harmful, so it's vital that these storylines are handled responsibly." Additional reporting by agenciesFor confidential support call Samaritans on 116 123.You can also contact the following organisations for confidential support:https://www.mind.org.uk/https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealthhttps://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
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| Today’s top deals: $10 Anker fast wireless charger, crazy Instant Pot sale, Apple Watch, $249 iPad, more Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:35 AM PDT  We've rounded up the best daily deals for you on Tuesday, and they're all right here in this post. Highlights include the excellent $20 Anker PowerWave 10W fast wireless charging pad for just $9.99, the lowest price ever on Instant Pot's DUO Mini multi-use cooker, Apple iPad tablets back down to Black Friday's price, the Apple Watch for an all-time low of just $199, a 1st-gen Sonos One smart speaker with Alexa for less than it cost on Black Friday, iPhone XR screen protectors for less than $5, $130 off a pair of mind-blowing Sony wireless noise canceling headphones, the best-selling TP-Link Wi-Fi range extender for only $14.99, $30 off one of Amazon's best-selling DNA tests, and plenty more. See all of today's top deals below.
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| UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe Posted: 30 Apr 2019 02:38 PM PDT ![UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe]( "UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe") U.S. Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from the Justice Department's deliberations on whether to allow T-Mobile to proceed with its $26 billion acquisition of Sprint, according to a source familiar with the decision. The department's Antitrust Division, headed by Makan Delrahim, is reviewing the deal to determine if it will lead to higher prices for consumers or to slower innovation, as critics allege. The Federal Communications Commission also must approve the transaction for it to go forward.
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| The Genesis Of The Mighty Jeep Cherokee Posted: 29 Apr 2019 08:49 AM PDT  This 1980 Cherokee Chief sports the extra wide track and a 5.9-liter V8. The Jeep Cherokee is an American institution. Offered by GAA Classic Car Auctions we have a 1980 Cherokee Chief with 5.9 liters of bruteish V8 goodness.
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| Thousands gather in Kabul for Afghan peace meeting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:04 AM PDT  Thousands of politicians and officials from across Afghanistan gathered amid tight security in Kabul Monday to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 3,000 people have been invited to the rare "loya jirga", which is being billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement. The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges.
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| As Passover approaches, Jewish leaders warn that measles outbreak feeds anti-Semitism Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:41 AM PDT  As measles cases in New York climb, leaders within the Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish community fear a spreading anti-Semitism over the outbreak.
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| US says 'fully supports' Venezuelan people's 'quest for freedom' Posted: 30 Apr 2019 09:41 AM PDT  The United States on Tuesday threw its full weight behind Venezuela's self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido, as the opposition leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. "Today interim President Juan Guaido announced start of Operacion Libertad," or "Operation Freedom," tweeted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as Maduro's government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup. "The U.S. Government fully supports the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom and democracy.
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| The Latest: Biden accuses Trump of abusing powers Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:00 PM PDT  HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on former Vice President Joe Biden and his 2020 campaign (all times local):
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| Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed Posted: 29 Apr 2019 02:30 PM PDT ![Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed]( "Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed") FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia tech staffing company has apologized after an online job posting sought "preferably Caucasian" applicants.
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| Police Have Person of Interest in Fatal Shooting of NY High School Student Posted: 29 Apr 2019 10:21 AM PDT  After taking two people into custody on Friday, police said Sunday they've identified a person of interest in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old Yonkers high school student last week.
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| How to watch Facebook’s F8 2019 live stream Posted: 30 Apr 2019 09:30 AM PDT  It's not often that Facebook makes headlines for any of its achievements or advancements anymore, with new privacy concerns seemingly cropping up on a weekly basis, but its annual F8 developer conference is a great opportunity for the social media company to control the narrative -- at least for a few days.That's exactly what Mark Zuckerberg and co. will attempt to accomplish on Tuesday, as the conference kicks off with a keynote from the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. And if you want to watch it all live, you can do so by heading over to this page, where the stream can be found.Facebook actually spoiled one of the major announcements of the day in a blog post this morning, where it revealed its plans for the future of Messenger, including a desktop app for Windows and macOS, a lighter and faster version of the mobile app, and the ability to watch videos with your friends in real time. But that's likely just the tip of the iceberg for the announcements today, as Facebook's description of the event suggests:> 2019 marks Facebook's 10th F8. What started as an 8-hour hackathon has evolved into a 2-day event for developers, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world.> > There will be networking opportunities, deep-dive sessions and product demos that showcase the latest in AI, open source, AR/VR, developer programs as well as new tools across Facebook's family of apps to help build products and grow businesses.> > F8 2019 will celebrate our global developer community and highlight how technology can enable the best of what people can do together.F8 2019 begins on April 30th and ends on May 1st. If you want to know more about the conference, you can check the full schedule with all of the keynotes and sessions that will be taking place right here on F8.com.
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| View Photos of the 2020 Land Rover Defender Prototype Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:09 AM PDT |
| U.S. envoy says top Venezuelan officials negotiated to help restore order Posted: 30 Apr 2019 01:01 PM PDT  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said on Tuesday opposition-led protests in Caracas were part of a broader effort negotiated with three senior officials in President Nicolas Maduro's government to restore constitutional order. Abrams, speaking to reporters at the State Department, said the talks involved Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Supreme Court chief justice Maikel Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Rafael Hernandez Dela about restoring democracy in the country. ...
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| Venezuela's Guaido calls for uprising but military loyal to Maduro for now Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:42 PM PDT  Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday made his strongest call yet to the military to help him oust President Nicolas Maduro but there were no concrete signs of defection from the armed forces leadership. Early on Tuesday, several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally in Caracas, and large anti-government protests in the streets turned violent. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that "as we understand it" Maduro had been ready to depart for socialist ally Cuba, but had been persuaded to stay by Russia, which has also been a steadfast supporter.
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| Trump Speaks With Rabbi Injured in Deadly California Synagogue Shooting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:28 AM PDT  President Trump said Monday that he phoned to offer his condolences to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the deadly California synagogue shooting over the weekend.A 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, was killed and three others injured, including Goldstein, at the Chabad of Poway synagogue when a young gunman opened fire inside during Passover service Saturday. Kaye took bullets for Goldstein, standing in front of him as he evacuated children from the synagogue, according to law enforcement.> I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019"The President expressed his love for the Jewish people and the entire community of Poway. The President also thanked the brave members of law enforcement who acted swiftly, including the off duty border patrol agent who stopped the shooter," read a statement from White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere.Goldstein, who lost fingers in the shooting, thanked Trump for his call on Sunday, adding that the president spoke about his love of peace, Israel, and Judaism.The president first condemned the attack on Saturday, saying the nation stands with the Jewish community."Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community," Trump said at a Saturday campaign rally in Wisconsin. "We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated."A suspect, 19, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder."Here is a young man with a rifle, pointing right at me. And I look at him. He has sunglasses on. I couldn't see his eyes. I couldn't see his soul. I froze," Goldstein said at a press conference following the shooting. "Lori took the bullet for all of us, she died to protect all of us. She didn't deserve to die.""One thing's for sure. I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror," he told NBC.The attack was perpetrated by "someone with hate in their heart … towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand," Mayor Steve Vaus of Poway, where the synagogue is located, told CNN.A shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue last year killed 11 people.
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