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Latest News, News Headlines, Amazon Coupons, Amazon Offers


Top Stories Today

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:41 AM PDT

Top Stories Today


'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' — The Ultimate Preview

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:18 AM PDT

After four decades, Star Wars is drawing to its epic conclusion. Lev Grossman goes behind the scenes with director J.J. Abrams and the cast for the inside scoop on "The Rise of Skywalker." With exclusive photographs by Annie Leibovitz.

Rats Are Taking Over New York City

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:18 AM PDT

Gentrifying neighborhoods are a key reason behind the vermin outbreak, which extends beyond New York — Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles are also confronting issues.

A Fascinating And Thoughtful Interview Between Stephen Colbert And Howard Stern

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:37 AM PDT

The king of the talk show, as it turns out, is a fantastic talk show guest.

Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, And Magic Internet Money — What Can Be Better?

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

BRD runs monthly promotions to push cryptocurrency awareness. Buy or trade within the BRD app and get yourself some awesome giveaways for joining the movement.

This Bizarre High-Speed Pursuit Of An RV Is One Of The Craziest Chases We've Ever Seen

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:40 AM PDT

Thankfully nobody was killed when this suspect's RV crashed into trees and cars on this wild chase.

Inside The Lost Jehovah's Witnesses Tunnels Under Brooklyn Heights

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

When the Jehovah's Witnesses moved out of Brooklyn Heights over the past few years, cashing in on their now-valuable properties and moving upstate, they left behind a collection of buildings that had been their headquarters for over a century.

The Radical Plan To Change How Harvard Teaches Economics

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

Raj Chetty has an idea for introducing students to econ that could transform the field — and society

Former FBI Body Language Expert Explains The Body Language Cues That Actually Mean Something

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

Covering your mouth when you're speaking doesn't actually mean you're lying. Joe Navarro, who spent 25 years with the FBI, where he worked on catching spies, knows what's actually going on.

Capitalism Camp For Kids

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

Young people love socialism. Can a summer of indoctrination teach little Hermione and Khaleesi to love capitalism?

Is It Weird To Be A Man Who Loves K-Pop Girl Bands?

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

How to survive a Blackpink gig when you're the tallest, oldest and hairiest attendee.

Man Opens Up A Survival Food Packet From 1954 To See What's Inside

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

We love the unpacking; we're not necessarily so hot on eating a 65-year-old cheese bar though.

How San Francisco Broke America’s Heart

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

Filthy rich and dominated by a tech monoculture, it's gone from America's great romantic city to "a train wreck."

The Underrated Pleasures Of Eating Dinner Early

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:18 AM PDT

Despite its connotations of denture-friendly fare and penny-pinching, early dinner is the most decadent meal there is.

Always Forgetting Passwords? This Adorable Bear App Is The Answer

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

Forgetting passwords (again and again) is one of modern day's most frustrating problems. RememBear Password Manager solves this by saving and autofilling your passwords and forms for you — with total security. Save 33% off today and get a two-year subscription for $40.

We Can't Believe It's A Robot That's Making This Omelette

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:33 AM PDT

The machines are rising and soon they'll take over all our breakfast food.

Three Kings: Quentin, Brad And Leo Take You Inside 'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood'

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

Director Quentin Tarantino and his headlining stars, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, get together for their first conversation since wrapping the movie.

Three Young Kids Casually Rolling Down The Chicago Highway In ATVs

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:00 PM PDT

This absolutely batsh*t footage was captured around midnight on a Friday on the Dan Ryan Expressway outside Chicago.

Kick Off Cookout Season With This Sleek Portable Grill

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

Don't limit your barbecues to the backyard — take this table grill anywhere.

Apple Tweaks Its Troubled Macbook Keyboard Design Yet Again, Expands Repair Program

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

A "new material" will be put into third-generation repaired keyboards.

This Comeback In The Final Leg Of A 4x100 Relay Is Insane

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:42 PM PDT

Sebastian Spencer, a junior at West Virginia's Weir High School, holds West Virginia's state record in the 100 meters (and he has several D-I college football scholarship offers). He showed off his wheels in this wild comeback in the final leg of the 4x100 relay at West Virginia's state meet.

Can A Man Earn A Living On Sperm Donation Alone? This Guy Did

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:01 AM PDT

Sperm donors can make up to $12,000 a year.

A Plant Owner Tweeted A Picture Of Her Plant Every Day For Three Years. Here's The Time Lapse Of Its Growth

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:50 PM PDT

Three years ago, Nicole He rigged up a fun internet experiment — a camera that would take a picture of her fiddle leaf fig every day and tweet it.

The Parade Of Savings Is On

Posted: 19 May 2019 06:00 AM PDT

HP's Memorial Day Sale starts now! Save up to 61% on PCs, accessories, and more!

High School Soccer Player Scores A Lovely Goal With His Butt

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

When you play in the game, you got to go all in, head, butt and soul.

Portland Wronged The Jail Blazers More Than The Jail Blazers Wronged Portland

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

Any understanding of the Blazers' place in Portland has to be rooted in this truth — a black institution sitting dead center in the middle of a white city's cultural life.

The 21 Greatest Movie Prom Scenes

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

Most teens are conditioned to think that prom is the most important event of their lives because that's what they say in the movies. But it's not!

Beyond The Hype Of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Posted: 21 May 2019 03:51 PM PDT

This is a fight over image, and when it comes to diamonds, image is everything.

An Animated Explainer Of The Terror That Is Sleep Paralysis

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Sleep paralysis is a real and scary affliction that's also incredible common. Here, animator Andrew Ognibene explains his struggle with his own hallucinations, aided with alarming illustrations.

New Coke Was A Debacle. It's Coming Back. Blame Netflix

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

The creators of "Stranger Things" wrote the failed beverage into the coming season as part of a big marketing push. With memories of a 1985 backlash faded, Coca-Cola dug out the old recipe.

How Dodge City Became The Ultimate Wild West

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Fake news and smoking guns made the Kansas town a symbol of frontier lawlessness.

How Animated Movies Became Dominated By Celebrity Voices

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:52 AM PDT

It started with "Aladdin" and Robin Williams. Or, more accurately, it started with the Walt Disney Company screwing over Robin Williams by going against his wishes to market the movie around his star power.

'Game Of Thrones' Lino Facioli Loves Those Hot Robin Arryn Memes

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

"I've got friends being like, 'You've got memes about you, man.' That's their definition of fame."

Velocity Is Strangling Baseball — And Its Grip Keeps Tightening

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:42 PM PDT

Pick a problem, or a perceived problem, in baseball, and it can probably be traced back, directly or indirectly, to the rise of velocity as the sport's ultimate weapon.

I'm Upset: I Am A God Damn Adult I Should Not Be Dealing With Acne

Posted: 21 May 2019 04:51 PM PDT

I was told zits are for teenagers. This was a lie.

Where The Algorithms Can't Find You

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Default Filename feels quietly radical in 2019. The project imagines a YouTube without recommendation algorithms that think you only want to watch beauty tutorials, Avengers outtakes or product unboxings. It's a glimpse of a timeline where Google and Facebook didn't create and capitalize on a vast economy of tracking, prediction and control.

Kumail Nanjiani And Dave Bautista Are Fighting Crime One Uber Ride At A Time In 'Stuber' Trailer

Posted: 21 May 2019 07:35 AM PDT

The action-comedy "Stuber" premieres in theaters on July 12.

The Lazy Design Aesthetic Of Misrepresenting Genetic Conditions

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

To be honest, I feel like I probably spent more time thinking about it than the people who designed these characters and chose to name them "mutants." And that's the problem, here. Game designers are being lazy and in the process are committing real world harm.

Too Human

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

The more "lifelike" simulations are, the less effective they risk becoming.

Get Ready, World: Here Comes Mal Pugh

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

As the World Cup approaches, other countries may be catching up to the US women's national team, but they'll have to catch her first.

Man Swipes Through The Subway Gate In Singapore And Keeps On Going Again And Again In A Loop

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:00 PM PDT

Was this a challenge? Was it a prank? The best part of this video may be we'll never quite know.

The Fraught Culture Of Online Mourning

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Nowadays, we live online, and so we grieve here too. But there are limits to the comfort digital mourning can provide.

New York Prisons Offer 'Tough Love' Boot Camp Programs. But Prisoners Say They're 'Torture' And 'Hell'

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

More than a dozen former shock prisoners say the programs come at a steep cost: they allege humiliation and physical abuse from guards as well as demands to go off their medications.

Why Drake Dropped $750K On A Watch That Generates Sexy Phrases

Posted: 21 May 2019 01:09 PM PDT

Where else would he get his lyrics from?

How Sackler Became The Most Toxic Name In Philanthropy

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Joss Sackler's husband and his family are accused of making billions off the opioid crisis. Does she get to be a rebel without a cause?

End The Plague Of Secret Parenting

Posted: 21 May 2019 04:51 PM PDT

If mothers and fathers speak openly about child-care obligations, their colleagues will adapt.

Confidential Draft IRS Memo Says Tax Returns Must Be Given To Congress Unless President Invokes Executive Privilege

Posted: 21 May 2019 04:11 PM PDT

The memo contradicts the Trump administration's justification for denying lawmakers' request for President Trump's tax returns, exposing fissures in the executive branch.

Please Enjoy This Very Good, Very Dumb Dad Joke About God's Real Name

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:58 AM PDT

If you're looking for the dad-est dad joke that has ever been dad'd, we've found it.

Sit Back And Enjoy This Extremely Efficient, Very Satisfying Brick-Laying

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:50 PM PDT

It's not about the ending. It's about the journey.

'That's Just The Way Our Family Works'

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

An essay exploring the ways queer families challenge traditional notions of heredity and paternity.

Fans Are Ruining 'Game Of Thrones' — And Everything Else

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

How art and culture became captured by the logic of the consumer market.

Beto O'Rourke Made Me A Punk Playlist

Posted: 21 May 2019 04:51 PM PDT

Back in the heady days of 2015, when a Donald Trump presidency seemed even to Republicans little more than a Steve Bannon fever dream, O'Rourke and I would run into each other in the Capitol and talk about punk.

Can Tech 'Objectively' Assess Pain?

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

Some combination of data and machinery may finally provide an objective marker of pain — but beware of bias.

How 'Game Of Thrones' Compares To The Most Watched TV Finales Of All Time

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:36 AM PDT

We thought "Game of Thrones" was big. Turns out its finale numbers don't hold a candle to shows like "M.A.S.H." and "Cheers."

Thousands Of Women Across The US Are Marching To Protest Abortion Bans

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:05 PM PDT

"Should be at school but instead I'm busy protesting this SH*T."

The Strategies James Holzhauer Employs To Dominate In 'Jeopardy'

Posted: 21 May 2019 01:39 PM PDT

"Holzhauer is a professional gambler, and you can see it in his gameplay... his strategy isn't about beating his opponents, it's about maximizing his winnings."

Diamondback's Release 4C Carbon Trail Bike Is Fun To Ride And Not Super Painful To Pay For

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:10 PM PDT

Plushy trail suspension, a light and stiff carbon frame yet manages not to crack the $4k mark.

Need A Post-It That Can Ride Out A Rainstorm? Of Course You Do

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:18 PM PDT

Ultra strong paper and adhesive on the new Post-It Extremes make sure your note won't float away unread.

The Architecture Lego Sets Make It Acceptable To Play With Legos At Work

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:23 PM PDT

Build and display a tiny scale Paris model made from Legos.

Something New

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:17 AM PDT

Something New


Fitbit's Alta HR fitness tracker is on sale for up to $55 off on Amazon

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:08 AM PDT

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At long last, Mother Nature has taken her fickle foot off our necks and ushered in consistently warmer weather 'round the country.

If past research holds up, that means you're about to start exercising way more than you did when it was chilly outside.

That *also* means now is a great time to pick up a shiny new fitness tracker to help you meet your health goals — say, the Fitbit Alta HR from Amazon, where select styles are currently on sale for up to 43% off Fitbit's asking price of $129.95.

Featuring Fitbit's slimmest design thus far, the Alta HR looks similar to a watch and is worn on one's wrist, where it uses SmartTrack Auto Exercise Recognition technology to automatically log your steps, heart rate, calories burned, workout intensity, and even sleep stages on its dashboard.  Read more...

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Relax with this essential oil diffuser on sale for $16

Posted: 22 May 2019 08:04 AM PDT

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Essential oils have all sorts of different purposes: Peppermint can boost energy and help with digestion while lavender is known to relieve stress. An essential oil diffuser is one of the most common forms of practicing aromatherapy. A diffuser fills your space with your choice of remedy, plus acts as an air freshener to keep your home smelling nice.

Diffusers can vary in features and price. Right now you can snag a Better Homes and Gardens diffuser set for as low as $16 at Walmart (prices differ depending on the color you choose).

This set includes a diffuser with a 50-milliliter reservoir and six five-milliliter essential oils: lavender, peppermint, frasier fir, pomander, eucalyptus, and sweet orange. Read more...

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'Orange is the New Black' cast sings that catchy theme song for a final season teaser

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:53 AM PDT

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One of Netflix's original originals says goodbye in 2019, and the cast of Orange is the New Black sang a very special song to announce the final season.

Netflix shared the Season 7 premiere date with a video featuring Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, Danielle Brooks, Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Kate Mulgrew, Adrienne C. Moore, Jackie Cruz, and Diane Guerrero singing the show theme song, "You've Got Time" by Regina Spektor. Filmed separately, they make their way around the Orange set for the last time, taking in props, costumes, and sets and sharing bittersweet greetings with the crew.

Orange is the New Black returns to Netflix on July 26. Read more...

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Zinus memory foam mattresses are on sale for less than $300 at Walmart

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:51 AM PDT

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Memorial Day mattress sale just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?

Casper, Nectar, and about 20 more of the big mattress-in-a-box names are dropping prices for the holiday weekend, but trying to sift through whether $100 off a $600 mattress is better than getting two free pillows gets overwhelming. No shade.

If dropping that much on a mattress isn't in the budget right now, an Eco-Sense memory foam mattress from Zinus may be calling your name — and they're up to $100 off at Walmart today. (The prices are so good, the king is only $262.65.)

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Watch Jennifer Garner's hilarious graduation address full of necessary life advice

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:51 AM PDT

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Jennifer Garner, actress and graduate of Denison University's Class of 1994, recently delivered the Ohio college's 2019 commencement address, and boy was it a good one.

After explaining how she regretted agreeing to the speech, because writing it made her examine her life choices, "gain five pounds," and "loathe her friend and Denison alum Steve Carell" who graduated before her and should have had to address the college first, Garner gave the grads some invaluable life advice. 

Her speech begins a few minutes after the one hour mark, and she quickly shares words of wisdom, such as never walk down the Grand Canyon to see what it looks like from the bottom, don't smoke and don't vape because it's "not cute," and always use sunscreen. Read more...

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Amazon is 3D-scanning people's bodies in exchange for gift cards

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:39 AM PDT

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Amazon has been conducting research that involves digital 3D "scans" of people's bodies in exchange for a $25 Amazon gift card.

The e-commerce giant is currently carrying out the image study at two different locations in New York City. 

Mashable became aware of the research program after a staff member was targeted with an advertisement on Instagram. The ad led to an online form where would-be participants were able to sign up for a 3D body scan session.

A screenshot of the signup page for the Amazon Body Labs imaging study.

A screenshot of the signup page for the Amazon Body Labs imaging study.

Image: amazon / screenshot

The signup page for the study claims that Amazon  takes 3D scans, photos, and videos of study participants, both fully clothed and in “form-fitting” swimwear. Height and weight measurements are also collected during the session. On the website, Amazon states that the data collected during the study is “exclusively for internal product research” and will not be used in a marketing capacity.  Read more...

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'Aladdin' review roundup: What critics thought of Disney's live-action remake

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:32 AM PDT

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It's a whole new world, one in which Will Smith is playing the Genie and Mena Massoud is perfectly cast as Agrabah's cutest thief in Disney's live-action Aladdin remake. 

The long-awaited movie is out on May 24, but the reviews are finally in. 

Mashable's Angie Han calls it less satisfying despite a longer runtime than the originalIn her review, she states that director Guy Ritchie and his team seem to have no idea of how to stage and shoot a musical number; instead of establishing a rhythm and letting us focus on the spectacle, they crowd the screen with so much stuff that it all blurs together, and then speed up the dancing to a bizarre unnatural pace. Read more...

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10 cliché Instagram posts you'll definitely see this summer

Posted: 22 May 2019 07:02 AM PDT

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The sun is out and it's warm again, which means summer gram is back in full force. 

Here's the thing — when there are 1 billion Instagram users out there celebrating longer days and hotter nights, how many unique summer-themed posts can there really be? You're bound to see one, or two, or 10 posts with the same poses and captions. If the account @insta_repeat has taught us anything, it's that #wanderlust photoshoots aren't exactly one of a kind. 

Here are 10 Instagram posts you're sure to see this summer. 

1. Hot dogs or legs?

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5 of the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes in the UK

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:56 AM PDT

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Having a cat (or a few) can be an amazing experience. They’re soft, cute, cuddly, goofy in the best and weirdest way, and they’re always there for you on a bad day. Plus, there’s nothing better — or more relaxing — than falling asleep to the sound of their purring. 

But there’s one thing about being a cat mum or dad that is horrible: scooping and cleaning the cat litter box. This tedious, repetitive, gross, and smelly task takes up way more time than we want it to. And if you get lazy, even for a moment — say after a long, bad day at the office — your cat thanks you in the morning with a present in the bath. Read more...

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The Google Home Hub is now available for under £90

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:41 AM PDT

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Believe it or not, there are people out there who hop onto their phone in the morning to check the weather and traffic, organise their appointments in a paper diary, and then check their phone again to book a restaurant. All this switching isn't necessary anymore.

There are devices out there that can answer questions, organise routines, play videos and music, and much more. That's everything through one device, guys. It might be time to finally throw away your beloved diary, and upgrade to the Google Home Hub.

You can get answers from Google, command your audio, plan your day, and control your smart home through the Google Home Hub. This device is usually listed at £119, but is currently available for just £89 from BT. Read more...

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Save £60 on these factory renewed Bose SoundSport Free wireless headphones

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:39 AM PDT

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We have been over this before, but just in case you are still funny about factory renewed or refurbished items, we're going to try and explain the deal again.

Factory renewed products are a great way to enjoy the products you want at outstanding prices. If you're desperate to pick up a set of headphones from Bose but you've been put off by the price, we recommend checking out the renewed range.

A factory renewed product is simply one that’s been returned to Bose, for any reason, and then thoroughly inspected, tested, and serviced to meet strict sound quality standards. So it's exactly the same as a new product, apart from the price. These products go for much lower prices because some people out there are still a bit hesitant about renewed items. The winner in this situation is you. Read more...

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Sign up to PureVPN for £2.27 a month and gift free monthly accounts to 12 friends

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:34 AM PDT

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Birthdays are special occasions that need to be celebrated. Don't even try and protest. You might say that you find your birthday cringey, but you would be smiling if you were faced with all your best friends, balloons, and an absolutely massive caterpillar cake. Wouldn't you?

It doesn't matter where you are from, or how old you are, because you deserve a celebration. Even a VPN deserves a little bit of fanfare on its birthday. Yep, that's right. We're celebrating the birthdays of Virtual Private Networks now. That's how important birthdays are, guys.

PureVPN has just turned 12, and wants you to join in on the celebrations. There's not really much you can give a VPN as a gift, other than signing up to the service, and PureVPN has just dropped a big incentive to purchase a contract. When a new user signs up to any plan they’ll be eligible to gift monthly accounts to 12 friends.  Read more...

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Microsoft laptops, Apple MacBooks, iPads, Panasonic cameras, Amazon devices, and more on sale for May 22 in the UK

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:26 AM PDT

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We're into the second day of Amazon's Bank Holiday Sale. The Bank Holiday itself isn't until May 27, but we're getting a week of deals, and that's not something we should be questioning too much, because Amazon knows best, always.

We have looked through the wide selection of offers and handpicked the very best deals on laptops, tablets, beard trimmers, electric toothbrushes, and more. You can save on top brands like Microsoft, Apple, Philips, and Panasonic. You can also pick up discounted Amazon devices including the Echo Input and Echo Dot.

These are the best deals from across the internet for May 22. Read more...

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Painter and actor Gabriel Palma gains new respect for 'The Joy of Painting' — The Bob Ross Challenge

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:12 AM PDT

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Gabriel Palma thought he was a good oil painter, then he went up against the Master.  Read more...

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The new Aladdin is the best part of Disney's new 'Aladdin'

Posted: 22 May 2019 06:00 AM PDT

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It's a cliché by this point to wonder about the purpose of Disney's live-action remakes. They make lots of money, they scratch a nostalgic itch, they reintroduce these stories to a new generation — oh, and did I mention they make lots and lots of money

But the question is impossible to ignore when the films themselves seem torn between recreating every magical moment you loved in the original, and trying to forge something genuinely new — and with few exceptions, the remakes rarely seem to measure up. 

Aladdin, alas, is no exception. It sweats and strains to deliver exactly the Aladdin you remember from your childhood, from the classic songs to the soaring carpet ride. Yet it feels most enchanting in the rare moments that it allows itself to relax a bit and lean into the chemistry of its cast. Read more...

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How to fix your TV settings to make your screen look perfect

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:00 AM PDT

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It feels like it's been months since the premiere of "The Long Night," a highly anticipated episode of HBO's Game of Thrones featuring the longest battle sequence in the history of film. Like the rest of the fantasy epic's final season, it was divisive; some fans found it to be an enthralling example of the series at its best, while others found it to be an unsatisfying and abrupt ending to a major storyline.

One thing people on both sides of the aisle agreed upon was that it's a little difficult to see what's going on during the episode. Fans contended that it was too dark, while the episode's cinematographer insisted people needed to recalibrate their TVsRead more...

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Watch Ford's two-legged robot walk packages to your door

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:00 AM PDT

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When the self-driving delivery vans finally arrive, it's going to be a challenge getting packages from the vehicle to the doorstep. That's where Ford's partnership with Digit – a bipedal robot from Agility Robotics – comes in handy. 

The main problem is that watching a two-legged robot like Digit can be creepy and disconcerting, especially when it awkwardly walks on its creature-like legs and then bends over – or when it sneakily unfolds itself from the back of the delivery van.

Ford plans to use Digit to carry packages up to 40 pounds when humans aren't around to help grab deliveries from the back of a truck or van. Digit can walk up and down stairs, navigate around obstacles in its path, and stay balanced even after getting bumped. The humanoid can also fold up, so it stows away in the back of the delivery van ready to unfold and carry packages once the van arrives. Read more...

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From space, powerful thunderstorms look like boiling water

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:00 AM PDT

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The most potent thunderstorms roil and churn, like a pot of boiling water.

With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) latest weather-imaging satellites, this aggressive storm behavior is easily visible from space. Such dynamic thunderstorm activity was on full display Monday, when conditions ripe for severe weather and tornadoes swirled over the Southern Plains. NOAA's GOES-16 satellite captured the action from some 22,000 miles above Earth. 

"It looks like a big bomb going off," said Jeff Weber, a meteorologist with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

#GOESEast saw this powerful storm over Texas as severe weather was starting to ramp up across the central and southern Plains on Monday afternoon. More than 20 tornadoes were reported across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. More imagery: https://t.co/JeQmIesXtI pic.twitter.com/kpJvdbyXKD

— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) May 21, 2019 Read more...

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No one agrees on what iMessage Tapbacks actually mean

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:00 AM PDT

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In September 2016, Apple released iOS 10. With it came the iMessage Tapback, the convenient and highly ambiguous reaction feature that — nearly three years later — no one quite knows how to use.

Tapbacks were created, one assumes, to make texting more convenient. It's true that they're nearly effortless to employ: Simply press on a message until you're presented with the Tapback options — a heart, a thumbs up, a thumbs down, a HAHA, a double exclamation point, and a question mark — and pick the one you want. Easy, right? You didn't even have to type anything!

Here's the trouble, though. There's no practical consensus on what, exactly, Tapbacks are supposed to be, or mean. Thus, no implicit code of etiquette has emerged around their use. In our already anxiety-ridden texting culture, that's a recipe for chaos. Read more...

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Rihanna moved to London and British people are basically screaming right now

Posted: 22 May 2019 03:27 AM PDT

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The United Kingdom has a new queen, friends. 

That queen is called Rihanna. 

In an interview with The New York Times, RihRih casually mentioned the fact that moved to London earlier this year.

Sorry, what?!

In the interview, published on Monday, Rihanna talked about some of the things that she's "come to appreciate" since moving to London. "Walking around the block," she said. 

"When I go walking, I try to keep it a little incognito."

Per the NYT, "Rihanna moved to London earlier this year, where she is closer to the team working on Fenty, which is designed in Paris and manufactured in Italy." Read more...

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What's next for Westeros? 10 questions for King Bran

Posted: 22 May 2019 03:00 AM PDT

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We called it. That doesn't mean we buy it. Still, let's try to make more sense out of it.

The way Tyrion Lannister told it in the Game of Thrones finale, Bran Stark has the best story in all of Westeros — a story that will help the common folk and the nobles unite behind King Bran the Broken. Ironically, and perhaps in part to keep the ending a surprise, Game of Thrones itself became utterly disinterested in telling Bran's story — relegating him to season 8's most persistent background character.

By the time the finale rolled around, then, it was hard to remember that Bran was far more than the kid who overcame adversity, learned to fly and became the nation's institutional memory, to use Tyrion's participation-trophy language. The reaction to that kid's elevation to the throne, therefore, was a collective "meh" when it could have been a collective "holy crap, they put an actual time-traveling psychic in charge of six kingdoms! And he knew it was going to happen! Did he somehow make it happen? There's a lot to unpack here!"  Read more...

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DJ Khaled will get you there as the new voice on Waze

Posted: 22 May 2019 03:00 AM PDT

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If it feels like DJ Khaled is everywhere in the transit world, that's because he is.  

Popping up on Lyft scooters, ride-share driving undercover, and owning a ridiculous car collection, the hip-hop star is all about getting around. Now he's helping you get where you're going as a new navigation voice option in the Waze app. 

Sure, his voice giving directions is part of a six-week promo with streaming music service Deezer for his new album. But that doesn't mean you can't embrace the advice-filled phrases the performer is known for. Here's a sense of what it'll be like to have him guiding your drive starting Wednesday and available until June 30. Read more...

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Gwendoline Christie correctly predicted who would end up on the Iron Throne 2 whole years ago

Posted: 22 May 2019 02:51 AM PDT

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This article contains spoilers in abundance. If you haven't watched the Game of Thrones finale yet, look away now. 

It feels good to be right. 

So it must feel pretty wonderful right now to be Gwendoline Christie, who successfully predicted the ending of Game of Thrones a whopping TWO WHOLE YEARS AGO.

But you know who should be feeling very silly right now? Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. 

In an interview with ExtraTV's Mario Lopez in 2017, the pair were asked who they believed would end up on the Iron Throne. 

"The odds now are in Daenerys Targaryen's favour," Coster-Waldau said confidently. WRONG!

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Dyson V10, Dell XPS desktop, Fire TV Stick, and more deals for May 22

Posted: 22 May 2019 02:06 AM PDT

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Has your desktop had its days? If you are looking for an upgrade, we have found a great deal on a Dell XSP Tower. It retails for $1000, but it's currently chilling at $699.99 with code AFF300XPS — that's our definition of a hidden gem.

These XPS towers have a swing-out power supply which makes easy to access the motherboard, and that 460W of power ensures that your high-end video cards will be handled with ease. (Just add a Dell monitor on sale and have yourself a full-out desk glow up.)

You don't have to stop at office upgrades, either: Up your cooking possibilities with $39.96 off the 9-in-1 Instant Pot Duo Plus and keep your floor spotless with the Dyson Cyclone V10 vacuum for just $399.99. Prime members can save $50 on the Fire TV Recast or $15 on the Fire TV Stick 4K. Read more...

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5 password managers on sale

Posted: 22 May 2019 02:00 AM PDT

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Still filling in passwords manually? Is your fallback password still "PASSWORD" or "NOTMYPASSWORD"? That's basically irrefutable proof you should get a password manager. And if you're simply using iCloud Keychain's basic functionality (and finding it less than helpful), we stand by that statement.

SEE ALSO: Best password managers to keep you safe online

These handy apps have become incredibly sophisticated, now that more people than ever are relying on them to store, auto-fill, auto-generate, and organize their login details. Still, considering this is your personal data and digital privacy at stake here, you may be (understandably) concerned about selecting a quality one that actually does the job right. Read more...

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Raspberry Pi kits and courses on sale

Posted: 22 May 2019 02:00 AM PDT

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Here's a toughie: What do a coffee-making robot, a GIF-printing camera, a smartwatch that runs Windows 98, and "Furlexa" — that is, a Furby equipped with Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant — have in common?

The answer, dear reader, is this: They've all been brought to life on Raspberry Pi, a miniature computer the size of a deck of cards. (That was your exact guess, right? Right.)

Now in its third generation, this little guy is a remarkable piece of equipment that can be used for all kinds of computing, robotics, and Internet of Things projects. This versatility has made it quite popular, as have its beginner-friendliness and its ridiculously affordable $35 price tag.  Read more...

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'Game of Thrones' finale defended by 'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:36 PM PDT

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Game of Thrones is done and dusted, wrapping up its polarising eighth and final season with an equally debated finale.

While many have criticised the final episode of the beloved HBO series, there are some who have jumped to defend it.

And if anyone knows a thing or two about polarising TV series finales, it's the Seinfeld cast.

Star of the legendary sitcom Jason Alexander, better known as your ol' pal George "Can't-Stand-Ya" Constanza, has offered up kind words for the Game of Thrones crew on Twitter.

"I know a little something about finales and disappointed fans," he wrote on Tuesday.

"My advice: live in joy that you are part of something that moves people so. You were all magnificent. My family and I loved it all. Thanks." Read more...

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Google stored some users' passwords in plain text for years

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:29 PM PDT

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Google has revealed it had left some business users' passwords exposed in plain text.

In a blog post on Tuesday, the tech giant said it had discovered the issue in Google's popular enterprise product, G Suite, back in January. 

When stored in a system, passwords are cryptographically hashed — scrambled into a random-looking assortment of numbers — which make it near-impossible to try and guess what it is. 

The bug, which had existed since 2005, stored an unhashed, plain text copy of the password in G Suite's administration console. The console had allowed administrators to reset a password for a user, in case they forgot it, but Google said the function no longer exists. Read more...

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Amazon prevails in battle with South American countries for ‘.amazon’ domain name

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:39 PM PDT

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E-commerce giant Amazon has prevailed in its domain name battle with Amazon, the geographic region in South America.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, has approved of Amazon’s proposal to run the top level domain name extension “.amazon” after a 7 year dispute with more than a half dozen countries, according to the Financial Times.

The dispute was backed by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), a group promoting the development of the Amazon Basin. Its member states include Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Read more...

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Ben Carson mixed up the real estate term 'REO' with Oreo cookies

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:32 PM PDT

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Can you picture a scenario in which Oreo cookies are discussed at a House Financial Services Committee hearing?

No? That's OK. No need to imagine hypotheticals, because as it turns out, on Tuesday HUD Secretary Ben Carson name-dropped the popular Nabisco sandwich cookie on the stand. He accidentally mixed Oreo cookies up with REO, a common real estate term. Casual!

After California Congresswoman Katie Porter asked Carson to explain a disparity in REO rates, she took the time to confirm that he actually knew what REO stood for. And it's a good thing she double checked, because Carson most certainly did not know. Read more...

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Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs

Posted: 22 May 2019 04:10 AM PDT

Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs


Tweets For Today

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:30 PM PDT











Canada Sends A Delegation To China To Press The Release Of Its Citizens

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:00 PM PDT



Reuters: Canada sends delegation to China to press for release of citizens

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday.

Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States.

Canada has condemned the detentions as "arbitrary", while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought "repeatedly" to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is a low level Canadian delegation. The Chinese are not going to take it seriously. So why send them in the first place? It is all for show. As to what do the Chinese want? They want  Canada to immediately releasing Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou.

Picture Of The Day

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:30 PM PDT

A student supports her fellow plebes (freshmen) as they build a human pyramid to climb the 21-foot vegetable-shortening covered Herndon Monument at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The midshipman who makes it to the top replaces the 'dixie cup' hat with a midshipman's hat, marking their class ascent to upperclassmen. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WNU Editor: The above picture is form this photo-gallery .... Editor's Choice Pictures (Reuters).

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's New Brexit Deal Has Been Roundly Rejected By MPs Of All Parties

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:00 PM PDT



Daily Mail: 'I will not vote for it': Boris leads criticism as Tories AND Labour slam May's desperate 'dog's breakfast' plan to get MPs to back her Brexit Bill by offering them a second referendum and 'temporary' customs union

* Cabinet has signed off on Theresa May's plan to bring forward new Brexit Bill
* But PM had to water down concessions on referendum after mutiny by ministers
* Ministers threatened to quit if Mrs May allowed a free vote on the referendum
* Her chances of getting the deal through are fading as Tories voice opposition
* Fears legislation could suffer heavier defeat next month than her deal in March
* Cabinet is openly rowing about whether to leave the EU with No Deal in October

Theresa May's Brexit deal was hanging by a thread last night as furious Tory MPs savaged her decision to open the door to a second referendum.

In a dramatic gamble, the Prime Minister offered MPs a binding vote on a second EU poll – if they backed her withdrawal deal at the fourth attempt next month.

Mrs May pleaded with Parliament to finally approve her plan so Britain could avoid 'a nightmare future of permanently polarised politics'.

Desperate to win over Labour MPs, she also suggested the agreement could be amended to include a temporary customs union. The move followed a fractious three-hour Cabinet meeting, in which at least two ministers are said to have hinted they might resign in protest at the concessions.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: What a mess. After three years where the British public made it very clear in a referendum that they wanted to leave the EU, Prime Minister May is now offering another referendum. She is toast. The question that now remains to be answered is .... when will she leave?

More News On Theresa May's Brexit Deal Being Roundly Rejected

Seeking Brexit support, May offers vote on new referendum -- AP
May tries to break Brexit deadlock with offer of 'new deal' -- Reuters
Britain's Theresa May offers 'new deal' and possible second referendum to try to break Brexit deadlock -- ABC News Online
Theresa May offers UK lawmakers a vote on second Brexit referendum — if they approve her deal -- CNBC
Theresa May offers vote on second referendum if lawmakers back 'new Brexit deal' -- CNN
May offers 'confirmatory referendum' on her Brexit deal -- Al Jazeera
Theresa May offers vote on second referendum if MPs back 'new' Brexit deal -- RT
May's final effort to win backing falls flat as MPs reject 'new' Brexit deal -- The Guardian
Brexit: PM under fire over new Brexit plan -- BBC
'Convoluted mess': Tory support for May's Brexit deal drains away -- The Guardian
'Desperate, deluded, doomed': what the papers say on May's new Brexit deal -- The Guardian

Is A U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier The Safest Place To Be In A War?

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:00 PM PDT

Top to bottom: USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) alongside Nimitz class carriers USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) & USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Pinterest

Loren Thompson, Forbes: Ten Reasons A U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Is One Of The Safest Places To Be In A War

Large-deck, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the signature expression of American military power. They enable U.S. warfighters to sustain devastating air attacks against hostile forces on land or at sea for months at a time, precisely hitting hundreds of targets each day. And unlike some other combat systems, they don't need access to bases ashore to accomplish their missions.

The fearsome power of America's aircraft carriers makes them a potent tool for deterring aggressors without needing to rely on nuclear weapons. However, it is a common refrain among military analysts that our carriers are becoming vulnerable as long-range, anti-ship missiles proliferate around the world. For instance, Sydney Freedberg of Breaking Defense—one of the most respected journalists covering the military—observed in a March 12 budget analysis that "Beijing's growing arsenal of precision-guided missiles seems increasingly able to find and cripple a thousand-foot-long flattop."

Read more ....

WNU Editor:Hmmmm .... I am not sure about a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier being one of the safest places to be in a war. It looks like a big and high priority target to me.

Did The U.S. Navy Launch A cyber Attack On The U.S. Air Force

Posted: 21 May 2019 07:18 PM PDT

U.S. soldiers on "virtual missions" (IMAGE – U.S. Army)

Military Times: Why the Air Force is investigating a cyber attack from the Navy

The Air Force is investigating the Navy for a cyber intrusion into its network, according to a memo obtained by Military Times.

The bizarre turn of events stems from a decision by a Navy prosecutor to embed hidden tracking software into emails sent to defense attorneys, including one Air Force lawyer, involved in a high-profile war-crimes case of a Navy SEAL in San Diego.

The tracking device was an attempt to find out who was leaking information to the editor of Navy Times, a sister publication. A similar tracking device was also sent to Carl Prine, the Navy Times editor, who has written numerous stories about the case.

Navy Capt. David Wilson, chief of staff for the Navy's Defense Service Offices, wrote in the May 19 memo that an Air Force attorney was among the defense lawyers who had received emails with the hidden tracking software, which he described as "malware."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Quoting Pogo. "We have fond the enemy, and it is us".

Is The Risk Of Nuclear War Now The Highest Since WW2?

Posted: 21 May 2019 07:01 PM PDT

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 is pictured during its second test-fire in this undated picture provided by KCNA in Pyongyang on July 29, 2017. KCNA via Reuters

Reuters: Risk of nuclear war now highest since WW2, U.N. arms research chief says

GENEVA (Reuters) - The risk of nuclear weapons being used is at its highest since World War Two, a senior U.N. security expert said on Tuesday, calling it an "urgent" issue that the world should take more seriously.

Renata Dwan, director of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), said all states with nuclear weapons have nuclear modernization programs underway and the arms control landscape is changing, partly due to strategic competition between China and the United States.

Traditional arms control arrangements are also being eroded by the emergence of new types of war, with increasing prevalence of armed groups and private sector forces and new technologies that blurred the line between offence and defense, she told reporters in Geneva.

With disarmament talks stalemated for the past two decades, 122 countries have signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, partly out of frustration and partly out of a recognition of the risks, she said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Being one who lived through the Cold War, today's risk of a nuclear war do not come even close to what was the situation at that time. So no .... risk of nuclear war now is not the highest since WW2.

Poll: Half Of American Adults Expect War With Iran 'Within Next Few Years'

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:37 PM PDT



Reuters: Half of American adults expect war with Iran 'within next few years': Reuters/Ipsos poll

Half of all Americans believe that the United States will go to war with Iran "within the next few years," according to a Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll released on Tuesday amid increased tensions between the two countries.

While Americans are more concerned about Iran as a security threat to the United States now than they were last year, few would be in favor of a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian military. But if Iran attacked U.S. military forces first, four out of five believed the United States should respond militarily in a full or limited way, the May 17-20 poll showed.

Historically tense relations between Washington and Tehran worsened in May after U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his anti-Iran stance and restored all sanctions on Iranian oil exports following his decision a year ago to pull the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear accord with Tehran.

Read more ....

Update: US Americans believe war with Iran is coming: poll (DW)

WNU Editor: It is not going to happen.

World News Briefs -- May 21, 2019 (Evening Edition)

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:32 PM PDT



Reuters: May tries to break Brexit deadlock with offer of 'new deal'

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May set out a "new deal" on Tuesday for Britain's departure from the European Union, offering sweeteners to parliament including the chance to vote on whether to hold a second referendum to try to break the impasse over Brexit.

Three years after Britain voted to leave the EU and almost two months after the planned departure date, May is mounting a last effort to try to get the deeply divided parliament's backing for a divorce deal and leave office with some kind of legacy.

The odds do not look good.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Pompeo says 'quite possible' Iran behind Gulf incidents.

Iran warns of 'painful consequences' if US escalates tensions.

Iran hits back at Trump for tweeting 'genocidal taunts'.

Iran urges UN to launch talks over 'alarming' Gulf tensions.

Iranian production of enriched uranium quadruples: reports.

Iraqi Shiite figures warn US-Iran war could 'burn' Iraq.

Iran's basic goods prices double as fall of rial continues.

US Congress asks Donald Trump not to withdraw from Syria.

Yemen: Houthi drone 'hits Saudi arms depot'.

Bomb-laden drone from Yemen rebels targets Saudi airport.

ASIA

North Korea warns U.S. over seized ship at rare U.N. news conference.

Local MP, at least 10 others, killed in NE India.

Singapore's economy slows to decade low as trade war bites.

Election results see Scott Morrison reach 76 seats to win majority government in Australia.

China highlights Korean War in TV shows amid trade tensions.

Thousands of North Korean women are being forced into sexual slavery in China, rights group says.

North Korea, Russia officials to meet in Moscow.

South Korea, U.S. consider 'various ways' to resume talks with N. Korea.

In Sri Lanka, Muslims say Sinhala neighbours turned against them.

Philippine youth losing faith in political system.

U.N. study: Corruption still a problem in reformed Afghanistan.

Looming collapse of fisheries in the South China Sea?

AFRICA

UN envoy warns of 'long and bloody war' in Libya.

Water supply restored for millions in Libya, averting crisis. Water supply restored to besieged Libyan capital Tripoli.

Malawi votes in tight election as Mutharika seeks second term.

Sudan protesters plan general strike as talks falter.

Sudan agents prevent arrest of former spy chief.

Angola to re-bury body of rebel chief Savimbi.

Raw ivory sales: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia call for end to ban.

Egypt raises electricity prices to spur economic recovery.

EUROPE

Seeking Brexit support, May offers vote on new referendum.

Ukraine's president calls new parliamentary election.

Official: Poland entitled to seek German WWII reparations.

Austria's Sebastian Kurz faces no-confidence vote in wake of Ibiza scandal.

UK's 'Mr. Brexit' Nigel Farage eyes EU election success.

Catalan jailed MPs attend Spain parliament opening.

Russian police arrest Navalny ally Leonid Volkov over protest rally.

Watchdog: 10,000 Russians dying annually from HIV.

Sweden requests Julian Assange's detention over rape allegation.

AMERICAS

Don McGahn defies subpoena as Trump clash with Congress intensifies.

Tensions swirl around Iran as administration to brief Congress.

Donald Trump's former aide will not testify before Congress after White House warning.

After economy, Venezuela's waste collection system collapses.

Maduro proposes early elections for opposition-run congress.

Venezuela's ambassador to Italy resigns, blaming government's lack of money.

Argentina ex-President Christina Kirchner faces corruption trial.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Senators ask Trump administration why the 'American Taliban' is getting out of prison early.

Islamic State group emerges as a political force in western Africa.

IS militants blamed for prison riot that killed at least 32. Tajikistan prison riot kills prominent opposition members.

Christchurch mosque shooter faces terrorism charge.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St. rises as Huawei reprieve boosts tech shares.

US issues Huawei a temporary reprieve.

These are the areas around the world where Google's breakup with Huawei will likely be felt the most.

Xi Jinping may have showed how he plans to cripple US tech and defense giants in the trade war with a visit to a Chinese magnet factory.

US-China trade war: Huawei's loss is Samsung's gain.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 21, 2019

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:26 PM PDT



Philip Oltermann, The Guardian: Austria's 'Ibiza scandal': what happened and why does it matter?

Deputy chancellor and head of far-right party has resigned after video sting operation

What happened in Austria over the weekend?

On Friday night, two German media outlets published a video that shows the Austrian deputy chancellor and leader of the far-right Freedom party (FPÖ), Heinz-Christian Strache, talking to an unidentified woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch at a luxury resort in Ibiza. When the woman expresses an interest in gaining control of the country's largest-circulation tabloid, Kronen Zeitung, Strache suggests he could offer lucrative public contracts in exchange for campaign support.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 21, 2019

Austrian government on verge of collapse as EU election looms -- DW

The U.S. Is Outplaying Iran in a Regional Chess Match -- Seth Frantzman, National Review

Iran Bluster Is about Red Lines, Not War -- Michael Rubin, National Interest

Iraq caught in the middle of US-Iran face-off -- AFP

Hunting Bashar Assad's henchmen in Syria -- Frank Hofmann, DW

Exit polls predict smooth victory for Narendra Modi -- Aritry Das, Asia Times

Indonesia election: What will the next five years of Joko Widodo look like? -- Max Walden, ABC News Online

Indonesia election: What will the next five years of Joko Widodo look like? -- Max Walden, ABC News Online

How Baloch Separatists Are Trying to Derail China's Investments in Pakistan -- Adnan Aamir, WPR

Is Sri Lanka Really a Victim of China's 'Debt Trap'? -- Umesh Moramudali, The Diplomat

How should the world respond to North Korean hunger? -- Bradley K. Martin, Asia Times

Hifter's rule brings security to eastern Libya, at a cost -- Rami Musa and Joseph Krauss, AP

Theresa May makes concession on second Brexit referendum -- Tom McTague and Annabelle Dickson, Politico

Corruption and Populism Are the West's Weaknesses, Not Moscow's Invention -- Mark Galeotti, The Moscow Times

China's Offensive on Canada, in Plain Sight -- Terry Glavin, Maclean's

U.S. Defense Chief: Iranian Threats 'Put On Hold'

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:00 PM PDT



RFE: Pentagon Chief Says Iranian Threats 'Put On Hold'

The United States' response to alleged Iranian threats has "put on hold" potential attacks by Iran, acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has said.

"I think our steps were very prudent and we've put on hold the potential for attacks on Americans and that is what is extremely important," Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon on May 21.

He added that "the threat remains high and our job is to make sure that there is no miscalculation by the Iranians."

Later in the day, Shanahan, along with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford, are set to brief U.S. lawmakers on Iran.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: What threats is he talking about? They have still not clarified the original warnings/threats that started this crisis.

More News On U.S. Defense Chief Claiming That Iranian Threats Have Been 'Put On Hold'

Pentagon chief: Threat from Iran 'on hold' -- The Hill
Shanahan: Iranian threats 'on hold' thanks to U.S. actions -- Politico
Patrick Shanahan: Iranian threats against America 'on hold' -- Washington Examiner
Iranian threats 'put on hold', says US defence chief -- BBC
Iran 'threat' has diminished, says US defense secretary -- The Guardian
Iran Threat Has Been Put 'On Hold,' Acting Defense Chief Says -- The Wall Street Journal
Trump's Pentagon is patting itself on the back for putting a 'hold' on unexplained Iran threat -- Business Insider

Iran's Economy Continues To Plunge

Posted: 21 May 2019 01:00 PM PDT




FOX News: Iran's economy is sucking wind

Tensions are escalating between the United States Opens a New Window. and Iran – and its economy is buckling even further after the U.S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal last year and reinstated sanctions.

Over the weekend President Trump lashed out at Iran after a rocket landed less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone Opens a New Window. , the first such attack since September as reported by Fox News. An Iraqi military spokesman told reporters the rocket appeared to have been fired from east Baghdad, which is home to several Iran-backed Shiite militias.

Read more ....

Update #1: In Iran, a plunging economy trumps fears of US confrontation (ABC News/AP)
Update #2: Trump Readies a New War on Iran's Economy (Erin Banco and Asawin Suebsaeng, Daily Beast)

WNU Editor: The Iranian President wants more powers .... Iran's Rouhani Seeks More Powers Amid U.S. 'Economic War' (Bloomberg).

U.S. Congress Asks President Trump Not To Withdraw From Syria

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:00 PM PDT



Israel Hayom: Some 400 members of US Congress ask Trump to address Syrian threats, ensure Israel's defense

In bipartisan letter, some 79 senators, 303 representatives from both parties recommend Trump limit the presence of terrorists and extremists, strengthen Israel's security, underscore Israel's right to self-defense and increase pressure on Hezbollah.

A bipartisan letter signed by nearly 400 members from both sides of the aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate was sent to U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, calling on him to address threats in Syria and ensure Israel's safety.

"At a time of grave insecurity in the Middle East, we are deeply concerned about the role that terrorist and extremist groups and U.S. adversaries continue to play, particularly in Syria," stated the letter. "As some of our closest allies in the region are being threatened, American leadership and support are as crucial as ever."

Read more ....

Update #1: Lawmakers Call on Trump for a New U.S. Policy in Syria (The Wall Street Journal)
Update #2: Hundreds of lawmakers demand a clear Syria strategy from Trump in a forceful bipartisan letter (Task & Purpose/Reuters)

WNU Editor: That is a lot of US Senators and House of Representatives signing onto this letter.

Joko Widodo Re-Elected As President Of Indonesia

Posted: 21 May 2019 11:11 AM PDT



BBC: Indonesia election: Joko Widodo re-elected as president

Joko Widodo has been re-elected as Indonesia's president after last month's vote, beating former general Prabowo Subianto.

The result was released a day ahead of schedule in the early hours of Tuesday, amid fears of unrest.

Around 32,000 security personnel were deployed across the capital Jakarta, AFP news agency reports.

Mr Prabowo rejected the result and said he would pursue "legal avenues", but urged his supporters to stay calm.

Ahead of the final tally he had alleged "widespread cheating" and warned of potential street protests. In 2014 Mr Prabowo challenged an election defeat by Mr Widodo in Indonesia's constitutional court, but lost.

The latest vote followed a bitter campaign in which religion played a key role, but independent observers have said it was free and fair.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Not everyone is happy .... 1 million will march against Indonesia presidential poll result, say opposition groups, but others doubtful (SCMP).

More News On Joko Widodo Re-Elected As President Of Indonesia

Official count shows Widodo reelected as Indonesian leader -- AP
Joko Widodo secures second term as Indonesia's president -- CNN
Indonesian election: Joko Widodo wins Indonesian presidency by a wide margin -- The Australian/WSJ
President Joko Widodo Wins Re-Election in Indonesia -- Time
Widodo re-elected as Indonesia's president with 55.5% of votes -- CGTN
Indonesia election: Joko Widodo wins second term -- Al Jazeera

Commentaries And Analysis On The U.S. - China Trade War -- May 21, 2019

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:11 AM PDT





Matt Peterson, The Atlantic: The Trade War Is Just the Beginning

Tariffs aren't changing China's mind. So get ready for more tariffs.

"I have been talking about China for many years. And you know what? Nobody listened," Donald Trump told a crowd outside Pittsburgh in 2016. "But they are listening now." If China's leaders didn't notice a campaign speech then, the president has their attention now.

In office, President Trump and his administration have taken a series of escalating measures against China in hopes they would coerce Beijing to change its trade practices. But, two years and numerous rounds of meetings later, the trade talks aren't moving.

Read more ....

Commentaries And Analysis On The U.S. - China Trade War -- May 21, 2019

All-Out Trade War Could Cost Global Economy $600 Billion -- Bloomberg
Trump's trade war with China could start weighing on the biggest engine of the US economy -- Rebecca Ungarino, Markets Insider
China's latest trade war card isn't as strong as Beijing thinks -- James Griffiths, CNN
US needs to stand up to China on trade war, will win if it does: Andy Puzder -- Julia Musto, Fox News
Upping the Ante in the US-China Trade War -- The Diplomat
The U.S.-China trade war won't end any time soon so 'Investors should be a lot more cautious' -- Brian Sozzi, Yahoo News
One Country That Could Win Big From The U.S., China Trade War -- Jon LeSage, OilPrice.com
US-China trade skirmishes obscure the start of tech cold war -- Martin Farrer, The Guardian
Worries of longer, costlier US-China trade war hits markets -- Al Jazeera
Trump is in a trade war he can't win -- George Koo, Asia Times
Does Trump Deserve Credit on China? -- Kori Schake, The Atlantic
China vs. US: Cold War of 21st Century? -- George Leopold, EE Times

Is China A 'Vindictive Nation'?

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:45 AM PDT



WNU Editor: This comment is spot on ....

.... If we look at China's behaviour, it does so many things to lift up their people, but it is also known as a vindictive nation, (it does) so many things to countries and companies they don't necessarily like. Curtis Chin (Asia fellow, Milken Institute)

When I was stationed in China in the 1980s, I said to my Chinese hosts the following when I was asked on what were my impressions of the country.

.... "China's culture is one of the oldest in the world, steeped in history and tradition. But politically, China is one of the youngest and most immature countries in the world. Especially when compared to Europe and to countries like the U.S./Canada/Australia/etc..

I said that comment over 30 years ago, and it pains me to say that the same can be said today. China's view of the world and how this view is being translated into foreign policy and foreign relations may give some short term benefits to Beijing today, but in the long term it is only going to alienate China from the rest of the world. No one likes an arrogant  bully, and no one wants to deal with someone who acts vindictive when they do not get their way. Unfortunately, that is the China of today.

U.S. - China Trade War -- News Updates May 21, 2019

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:52 AM PDT



CNBC: US-China trade war may 'get worse before it gets better' as Beijing cranks up nationalism

* Talks to end the trade dispute between the U.S. and China are believed to have hit a roadblock, and relations between the economic superpowers have deteriorated earlier this month.
* The U.S.-China trade dispute will get worse before it gets better, says Curtis Chin, an Asia fellow at think tank the Milken Institute.
* Chinese President "Xi Jinping needs to show he is in charge," says Chin, a former U.S. ambassador

There's more pain ahead for the U.S. and China as their bilateral trade dispute drags on, an expert forecast on Tuesday.

"It's going to get worse before it gets better," said Curtis Chin, an Asia fellow at the Milken Institute, a think tank.

Talks to end the ongoing trade dispute are believed to have hit a roadblock, and relations between the two economic superpowers deteriorated earlier this month when U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion in goods from 10% to 25%. China responded by upping the tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods.

Read more ....

U.S. - China Trade War -- News Updates May 21, 2019

OECD cuts global growth forecast as US-China tensions rise -- France 24
Trump's China trade war risks damaging US economy, says OECD -- The Guardian
Nike and Adidas to Trump: Tariffs on shoes would be 'catastrophic -- CNN
Donald Trump Blames Obama, Bush, Clinton for China Deficit: 'They Created a Monster' -- Newsweek
Trump says tariffs making companies leave China, a deal can't be '50-50′ -- CNBC/Reuters
China denies US claim that trade deal was in place before Beijing 'changed it' as new ban hits Huawei -- News.com.au
'Still bullish': Beijing hits back at Trump claim that US tariffs are forcing manufacturers out of China -- Reuters
China accuses U.S. of having 'extravagant expectations' for potential trade deal -- Global News/Reuters
China is in 'no rush' to restart trade talks -- CNBC
Xi Jinping calls for 'new Long March' in dramatic sign that China is preparing for protracted trade war -- SCMP
'Bullying and blackmail': China could retaliate as US moves to curb Huawei's business with executive order, blacklist -- SCMP/Bloomberg
Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei says clash with the US was 'inevitable' -- SCMP

Chinese Presidenty Xi Calls For A 'New Long March' As China's Trade War Against The U.S. Escalates

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:17 AM PDT

Chinese President Xi Jinping lays a floral basket at a monument marking the departure of the Long March in Yudu County of Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP: Xi Jinping calls for 'new Long March' in dramatic sign that China is preparing for protracted trade war

* Xi Jinping told cheering crowds in Jiangxi: 'We are now embarking on a new Long March, and we must start all over again!'
* His comments come amid an increasingly sour mood in official Chinese media, which have become more forceful in anti-US rhetoric since trade war talks collapsed

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the nation to embark on a new Long March and "start all over again", in the most dramatic sign to date that Beijing has given up hope of reaching a trade deal with the United States in the near term.

since the escalation of the trade war two weeks ago. Jiangxi is where China's defeated Red Army started its famous Long March in 1934, and Xi's choice of destination is being viewed as an effort to invoke a spirit of endurance and to rally public spirit amid rising tensions with Washington.

"We are here at the starting point of the Long March to remember the time when the Red Army began its journey," Xi told cheering crowds on Monday, in footage posted on state broadcaster CCTV's website on Tuesday. "We are now embarking on a new Long March, and we must start all over again!"

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China's propaganda machinery is cranking up .... Chinese television suddenly switches scheduling to anti-American films amid US-China trade war (ABC News Online)

World News Briefs -- May 21, 2019

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:17 PM PDT



Reuters: Trump: U.S. will respond with 'great force' if Iran attacks interests

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump warned on Monday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked U.S. interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone.

"I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything," Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Monday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. "If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will."

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran hits back at Trump for tweeting 'genocidal taunts'.

Iran urges UN to launch talks over 'alarming' Gulf tensions.

Iranian production of enriched uranium quadruples: reports.

Iraqi Shiite figures warn US-Iran war could 'burn' Iraq.

Iran's basic goods prices double as fall of rial continues.

US Congress asks Donald Trump not to withdraw from Syria.

Yemen: Houthi drone 'hits Saudi arms depot'.

ASIA

Election results see Scott Morrison reach 76 seats to win majority government in Australia.

China highlights Korean War in TV shows amid trade tensions.

Thousands of North Korean women are being forced into sexual slavery in China, rights group says.

North Korea, Russia officials to meet in Moscow.

South Korea, U.S. consider 'various ways' to resume talks with N. Korea.

In Sri Lanka, Muslims say Sinhala neighbours turned against them.

Philippine youth losing faith in political system.

U.N. study: Corruption still a problem in reformed Afghanistan.

Looming collapse of fisheries in the South China Sea?

AFRICA

Water supply restored for millions in Libya, averting crisis. Water supply restored to besieged Libyan capital Tripoli.

Malawi votes in tight election as Mutharika seeks second term.

Sudan protesters plan general strike as talks falter.

Sudan agents prevent arrest of former spy chief.

Angola to re-bury body of rebel chief Savimbi.

Raw ivory sales: Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia call for end to ban.

Egypt raises electricity prices to spur economic recovery.

EUROPE

Austria's Sebastian Kurz faces no-confidence vote in wake of Ibiza scandal.

Theresa May to reveal new Brexit deal.

UK's 'Mr. Brexit' Nigel Farage eyes EU election success.

Catalan jailed MPs attend Spain parliament opening.

Russian police arrest Navalny ally Leonid Volkov over protest rally.

Watchdog: 10,000 Russians dying annually from HIV.

Sweden requests Julian Assange's detention over rape allegation.

AMERICAS

Don McGahn defies subpoena as Trump clash with Congress intensifies.

Tensions swirl around Iran as administration to brief Congress.

Donald Trump's former aide will not testify before Congress after White House warning.

After economy, Venezuela's waste collection system collapses.

Maduro proposes early elections for opposition-run congress.

Venezuela's ambassador to Italy resigns, blaming government's lack of money.

Argentina ex-President Christina Kirchner faces corruption trial.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State group emerges as a political force in western Africa.

IS militants blamed for prison riot that killed at least 32. Tajikistan prison riot kills prominent opposition members.

Christchurch mosque shooter faces terrorism charge.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US issues Huawei a temporary reprieve.

These are the areas around the world where Google's breakup with Huawei will likely be felt the most.

Xi Jinping may have showed how he plans to cripple US tech and defense giants in the trade war with a visit to a Chinese magnet factory.

US-China trade war: Huawei's loss is Samsung's gain.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 21, 2019

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:28 AM PDT

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sampson (DDG 102) are underway behind the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael A. Colemanberry/Released

Business Insider: US warship challenges China with second South China Sea sail-by operation this month

* A US Navy warship conducted a freedom-of-navigation operation on Sunday near the Scarborough Shoal.
* The shoal is a territorial holding in the South China Sea that China seized from the Philippines in 2012.
* This operation followed one carried out earlier this month by two guided-missile destroyers in the Spratly Islands.
* These operations are designed to challenge China's maritime claims and reinforce international law.
* They often irritate Beijing, which considers the vast majority of the South China Sea to be Chinese waters.

A US Navy guided-missile destroyer checked China in the South China Sea on Sunday, drawing Beijing's ire for the second time this month.

The USS Preble conducted a freedom-of-navigation operation near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, sailing within 12 nautical miles of this territory to "challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law," a 7th Fleet spokesman told Reuters.

China seized the Scarborough Shoal, part of a strategic triangle that also includes the Paracel and Spratly Islands, from the Philippines in 2012.

Read more
....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 21, 2019

South China Sea: Beijing urges an end to 'provocative actions' as US warship sails near disputed waters -- SCMP

US Coast Guard Holds Exercise with Philippine Ship in South China Sea -- VOA

Coast Guard Gives US New Tool in Disputed South China Sea -- VOA

USS Lincoln, USS Kearsarge conduct joint operations in Persian Gulf -- UPI

US Plans to Have 355 Battle Force Ships in About 10 Years - Vice President Pence -- Sputnik

Navy awards Sikorsky $1.2B for 12 King Stallion helicopters -- UPI

Boeing nets $163.9M to modernize Super Hornets for U.S. Navy -- UPI

How the USS Abraham Lincoln became a 100,000-ton thermometer for simmering tensions between the US and Iran -- AP

Marine Harrier Crashes in North Carolina, Pilot Ejects -- Military.com

Marine aircraft have hit birds 1,500 times over the past 15 years — here's what the Corps is doing about it -- Military Times

Air Force Wants Both F-35 and F-15EX. But if Forced to Choose, It's No Contest: SecAF -- Military.com

Loss of $234 million in gear at Offutt poses risk to national defense strategy, Don Bacon says -- Omaha World Herald

Air Force trains to defeat enemy air defenses 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle -- Air Force Times

Air Force pilots are getting new, modified rifles to defend themselves if they eject over hostile territory -- Task & Purpose

Space Force: It's Not Dead, But… -- Breaking Defense

Report: The U.S. Military Is Spending More and Getting Less Firepower -- National Interest

White House considers pardons for troops facing war crime accusations -- Military Times

U.S., North Korea military officers hold 'friendly' conversations daily, report says -- UPI

State Dept. says yes to $387M sale of MK 54 torpedo conversion kits to Canada -- UPI

Bulgarian Defence Minister Calls Price of US F-16 Fighters Unreasonably High -- Sputnik

Former Polish defense minister presses for answers on fate of US Patriot buy -- Defense News

Erdogan expects F-35 jets 'sooner or later' despite Russian missiles purchase -- UPI

Turkey says it's definitely going to buy Russia's S-400 missile system, and it's going to help make the S-500 too -- Reuters

WATCH UK Destroyer Hit Drone With Missile Flying at Four Times Speed of Sound -- Sputnik

UK Royal Navy Leads Its LARGEST Task Force in Europe in Decades -- Sputnik

Germany's long-awaited antimissile program is about to face politics -- Defense News

Russia's New Stealth Drone Looks Like a B-2 Stealth Bomber. But Can It Fight? -- National Interest

Russia's Military Exercises in the Arctic Have More Bark Than Bite -- Foreign Policy

INF to Collapse August 2 as Russia Unable to Save It - Russian Official -- Sputnik

At a Ukrainian aircraft engine factory, China's military finds a cash-hungry partner -- The Washington Post

South Korea to buy SM-2 missiles from U.S. in $313.9M sale -- UPI

Japan defense minister calls for improved ties with South Korea.

Japan approved for $317M purchase of AMRAAM missiles -- UPI

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates

Posted: 22 May 2019 02:14 AM PDT

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates


North Korea CONDEMN 2020 hopeful Joe Biden after dictator claim - ‘He’s an IMBECILE!’

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:59 PM PDT



NORTH KOREA has branded presidential hopeful Joe Biden "bereft of elementary quality as a human" in a scathing attack following comments he made about their leader.

US issues plea to Iran amid RISING Middle East tensions - ‘Hope they’re listening’

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:16 PM PDT



A US official has issued a desperate plea to Iran as tensions between the two countries threaten to escalate into warfare.

Iran CONFRONTS Trump: US accused of playing ‘very dangerous game’ - must show ‘respect’

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:12 PM PDT



IRAN has accused the US of playing a "very, very dangerous game" as tensions between the two powers increase.

US-Iran BOMBSHELL: More than 50 percent EXPECT war between bitter rivals in Gulf

Posted: 21 May 2019 05:26 PM PDT



US CITIZENS believe America will go to war with Iran "within the next few years", a new poll has found.

Chernobyl: How nuclear disaster ‘caused abnormalities’ in WALES

Posted: 22 May 2019 01:20 AM PDT



THE CHERNOBYL nuclear disaster in 1986 was the most catastrophic nuclear accident in history, as the blast created deadly radioactive fallout 400 times larger than the Hiroshima bomb.

Spain weather: How hot is it in Spain? IMMINENT heatwave to cause SWELTERING temperatures

Posted: 21 May 2019 11:40 PM PDT



SPAIN is about to be gripped by blazing hot weather as major heatwaves roast Europe - but how hot is it right now and when will temperatures spike?

EU facing EXISTENTIAL CRISIS warns Macron as latest poll puts his party BEHIND Le Pen’s

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:37 AM PDT



FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron has warned the European Union is on the brink of an "existential" crisis, as he reiterated his call for voters to shun far-right populism just days ahead of crunch elections for the European parliament.

BREXIT WARNING: Turkey FURIOUS over customs union deal - ‘It is BUCKLING UNDER STRAIN’

Posted: 21 May 2019 04:17 AM PDT



THERESA May is playing with fire by considering the idea of keeping Britain in a customs union with the EU - with one Turkish analyst warning his country's deal with Brussels was "eroding" 23 years after being signed.

Iran official says Donald Trump is living in his imagination - ‘This President is crazy!’

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:01 PM PDT



DONALD TRUMP's social media rants about Iran are making it hard for Tehran to deal with a "confused" White house, an Iranian official has claimed.

Dubai weather forecast: Heavy hail and thunderstorms hit UAE with more bad weather to come

Posted: 21 May 2019 02:18 PM PDT



DUBAI is usually an idyllic destination throughout the month of May. Temperatures are warm, but not scorching, and the rainfall is minimal, which makes it the perfect time to visit for many tourists.

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs

Posted: 22 May 2019 01:47 AM PDT

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs


Protests Over Indonesia’s Election Results Have Turned Deadly

Posted: 21 May 2019 11:15 PM PDT

At least six people are dead and more than 200 are injured after protests turned violent following the announcement of Indonesia’s official presidential election results, according to the governor of Jakarta.

Supporters of the main opposition candidate Prabowo Subainto clashed with security forces and set fire to a police dormitory and vehicles in the capital, the Guardian reports. Prabowo, a former general, lost the election to incumbent President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, but he has refuted the results since quick count results showed that Jokowi won the April election.

Prabowo said Tuesday that he will challenge the election results in the country’s courts.

Read More: Social Media Gets a Bad Rap in Elections, But Activists In Indonesia Are Using It to Boost Transparency

Dedi Prasetyo, a National Police spokesman, said protests turned violent late Tuesday and that police arrested 20 “provocateurs,” reports the Guardian. He stressed that police did not have live bullets. The city’s police spokesman said tear gas and water cannons were being used against protestors attacking with weapons such as rocks and molotov cocktails, according to the Guardian.

The Guardian reports that more than 30,000 troops have been deployed to Jakarta, and several governments offices, schools, shopping centers and businesses have been closed as a precautionary measure.

The country’s security minister says that social media will be blocked in parts of the country due to the protests, but he did not specify which locations would be affected by the restrictions, according to the Associated Press.

Protestors had started gathering outside the election commission building as of Wednesday morning, according to the Guardian.

Malaysia to Send Plastic Waste Back to Where It Came From

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:30 PM PDT

Malaysia plans to send non-recyclable plastic back to the countries that sent it to there, said its environment minister on Tuesday.

“Developed countries must be responsible in what they send out,” Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia’s minister of energy, technology, science, climate change and environment told Reuters. She added that some of the waste sent to Malaysia was in contravention of the Basel Convention, an international treaty drafted to regulate the export of waste to developing countries.

The Southeast Asian country became the top destination for plastic waste in 2018 after China stopped accepting imports, according to Reuters, with plastic waste imports jumping to 456,000 tonnes between January and July 2018 compared with 316,600 tones in all of 2017 and 168,500 tonnes in all of 2016.

Read More: A Patch of Plastic Garbage in the Pacific Ocean Amounts to Twice the Size of Texas, a New Study Says

Yeo said Malaysia has already sent five containers of waste that had been smuggled into Malaysia to Spain, where it originated, according to Reuters.

Plastic waste has become a contentious issue since China upset the global market with its import ban. Just last week, the Philippines recalled its ambassador and consuls in Canada after the country missed a deadline to take back plastic waste they had shipped to the Asian nation years ago.

Approximately 180 countries agreed to amend the Basel Convention to better regulate plastic waste trade, according to Reuters. The U.S. has not ratified the treaty.

North Korea Calls Joe Biden a ‘Fool of Low I.Q.’ for Criticizing Kim Jong Un

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:21 PM PDT

(SEOUL, South Korea) — North Korea has labeled Joe Biden a “fool of low IQ” and an “imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being” after the U.S. presidential hopeful called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a tyrant during a recent speech.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday said the former American vice president had insulted the country’s supreme leadership and committed an “intolerable and serious politically-motivated provocation” against the North.

Biden during a campaign launch in Philadelphia on Saturday accused President Donald Trump of cozying up to “dictators and tyrants” like Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“What he uttered is just sophism of an imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being, let alone a politician,” KCNA said.

The piece, labeled a commentary, said Biden had “gone reckless and senseless, seized by ambition for power.” It went on to mention apparent Biden gaffes, such as once appearing to fall asleep during a speech by President Barack Obama.

“It is by no means accidental that here is nonstop comment over his bid for candidacy that he is not worth pinning hope on, backed by the jeer that he is a fool of low IQ,” KCNA said.

It mocked Biden’s belief that he was “the most popular presidential candidate.” ”This is enough to make a cat laugh,” the report said.

There was no immediate reaction from the Biden camp, possibly due to the late hour in the United States.

North Korea has often unleashed crude insults against U.S. and South Korean politicians to criticize what it sees as slanderous remarks toward its leadership or hostile diplomatic and military policies against Pyongyang. The insults have included racist and sexist diatribes, including when the North called Obama “a monkey” and former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female leader, a prostitute.

During tensions created by a provocative run in missile tests in 2017, Kim called Trump a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard” after he said that the United States would “totally destroy North Korea” if forced to defend itself or its allies.

The North’s description of Trump dramatically improved after Kim initiated diplomacy with Washington and Seoul in 2018 while attempting to leverage his nuclear arsenal for economic and security benefits. The nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang stalled in February when a summit between Kim and Trump collapsed over mismatched demands in sanctions relief and disarmament.

Two Hong Kong Activists Were Granted Asylum in Germany, Calling the City’s Freedoms Into Question

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:03 PM PDT

Two years after their quiet departure from Hong Kong, two political activists from the semiautonomous region of China have come forward to say that they are under refugee protection in Germany.

Ray Wong, 25, and Alan Li, 27, faced rioting charges for their roles in a protest that turned into a violent overnight clash with police in February 2016, but the pair jumped bail and fled to Germany in 2017, according to the New York Times. Germany granted the pair protection last May, they say, according to the Times.

Germany’s federal office for migration and refugees also confirmed to the Times in an email that it had granted two Hong Kongers refugee protection last year.

They are believed to be the first political activists from the city to be granted asylum by a foreign country. The revelation is likely to deal a blow to Hong Kong’s international reputation, at a time when political freedoms have been eroding in the city.

“This is a worrying sign, though not entirely surprising given recent trends in Hong Kong,” Kelley Loper, Director of the Centre for Comparative and Public Law at the University of Hong Kong, told TIME.

“Although Hong Kong still enjoys a certain amount of autonomy and is politically and legally distinct from the rest of China, recent developments could chip away at those guarantees and negatively affect Hong Kong’s international reputation,” Loper said.

Read More: Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong Sent Back to Prison After Losing Appeal

Wong was the leader of Hong Kong Indigenous, an activist group that opposes Beijing’s encroachment on the city, and Li was a member. In 2016, hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the busy Mongkok district after authorities tried to stop unlicensed food vendors from operating, which is a Lunar New Year tradition in the city. It turned into an all-night riot, during which scores of people were injured and dozens were arrested. Beijing later denounced the protestors as “radical separatists.”

Other political activists in the city have been prosecuted for advocating for democracy.

Leaders of a 2014 pro-democracy movement dubbed the Umbrella Revolution were handed prison sentences late last month, and a student leader, Joshua Wong, was sent back to prison last week to finish his sentence for defying a court order to leave a protest site during the 2014 demonstrations.

Hong Kong, a former British colony which was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, is supposed to operate under a “one country, two systems” model meant to ensure that it retains certain freedoms such as an independent judiciary. But concerns about the city’s rule of law have increased in recent years as Beijing has tightened its grip on the city.

A fierce debate continues in the city’s legislature over a proposed extradition law, which would allow people to be sent to the mainland to face trials under China’s opaque legal system, where arbitrary detentions, forced confessions, torture and closed criminal trials are commonplace according to rights groups.

“If amendments to Hong Kong’s extradition law go through, we are likely to see more activists seeking asylum elsewhere,” Loper says.

In recent years, the city’s press freedom rankings have been on a precipitous slide, a senior foreign journalist was expelled for hosting a talk with a pro-independence political leader, and several booksellers offering content critical of the Communist Party have disappeared.

Questions Remain About Putin’s Request for a Back Channel to the Trump Transition

Posted: 21 May 2019 12:05 PM PDT

A few weeks before Donald Trump became president, Russian banker Petr Aven, a billionaire oligarch with Moscow’s Alfa Bank, pulled aside Washington lobbyist Richard Burt at a corporate meeting in Luxembourg with a sensitive request.

Aven told Burt that “someone high in the Russian government” wanted “a communications channel between the Kremlin and the Trump Transition Team,” according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s recently released report. Aven wanted Burt, a former ambassador who had helped Trump’s campaign, to work on setting it up.

Burt later told Mueller’s team that the request was, in the words of the report, “outside the normal realm,” even for Burt, a well-traveled Washington insider who had worked with Aven for years. It looks even more remarkable now.

The “high” Russian official was none other than President Vladimir Putin, Mueller’s team would later learn. Amid what Mueller called a “flurry of Russian activity” during the Trump transition, the Aven outreach is the only publicly known instance in which Putin, a onetime KGB spy, was personally involved in directing Russia’s clandestine efforts with the incoming administration.

The surreptitious contacts involving Putin, Aven and Burt as described in the Mueller report contradict repeated assertions by Alfa Bank that it had no contacts with Trump or people around him. At the time of Trump’s election, Alfa Bank was at the center of a mystery over an unexplained surge in computer traffic from Moscow to the Trump Organization in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign. Computer analysts concluded that Alfa Bank had developed a covert communications channel to the Trump Organization.

The bank has adamantly denied those assertions, saying in March 2017, for instance, that opponents were trying to use the Internet traffic to create “the false impression that Alfa Bank has business or other dealings with Mr. Trump.” Alfa Bank said separately that same month that the bank and Mr. Aven had not had “any contact with Mr. Trump or his organizations.”

Mueller did not address the cyber-traffic one way or the other in his report. That has left some Democrats on Capitol Hill unsatisfied. “Even in the wake of the Mueller report, we don’t know the meaning of the 2016 communications between Alfa Bank and Trump Organization servers, nor do we even know whether the FBI has fully investigated those links,” says Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Burt, who was the U.S. ambassador to West Germany during the Reagan Administration, wears a number of hats in the 2016 story of Aven and Alfa Bank. He helped develop key points for an important foreign-policy speech that then-candidate Trump delivered in Washington in April 2016, with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in attendance. Burt also dined during the campaign with Jeff Sessions, then a top Trump advisor, to discuss policy matters, Mueller said.

Burt has worked over the years with Alfa Bank and other Russian interests. He aided Russia’s plans for a massive gas pipeline, and currently sits on the board of a Luxembourg company, LetterOne, that Aven helped found in 2013 with other Alfa Group leaders and that is investing billions in American health care. It was at a LetterOne meeting that Aven first told Burt of the back channel idea.

“Putin suggested that Aven needed to take steps to protect himself and Alfa Bank,” against the possibility of U.S. sanctions, including by opening up the back channel, the Mueller report said. Putin never explicitly told him to create the back channel to protect against that threat, Aven told Mueller’s investigators, but he took his comments as “implicit directives, and that there would be consequences for Aven if he did not follow through.”

Burt took Aven’s idea to Dmitri Simes, the Russian-born president of a Washington think tank, the Center for the National Interest, where Burt served on the board. Burt asked Simes to arrange a meeting with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, Simes told Mueller’s investigators. Simes was lobbying for Burt to be ambassador to Russia, and was speaking with Kushner about foreign policy issues.

According to Mueller’s report, Simes said he told Burt the secret channel “was not a good idea” because of the growing scrutiny over Trump’s alleged Russian ties. The Kushner meeting apparently never occurred. Burt, however, reported back to Aven that there was “interest and an understanding for the need to establish such a channel.” He said that while a “very influential person” advised him the idea was “too explosive” at the moment, it might be reconsidered in the New Year, Mueller said.

Aven said he, in turn, reported back to Putin in early 2017 about what Mueller’s report describes as his “lack of success.” Putin “continued to inquire” in later meetings, Aven said. He eventually told Putin’s chief-of-staff the FBI had subpoenaed him, asking “whether he had worked to create a back channel between the Russian government and the Trump Administration,” Mueller said, but Putin’s aide “did not appear to care.”

Burt insists his efforts led nowhere. “My understanding is nothing came of that,” he told TIME in an interview. “We concluded it wasn’t a good idea. I then contacted Petr [Aven] and that was the end of it.”

Mueller’s report is silent on why Putin thought Alfa Bank and Aven might be the subject of U.S. sanctions. Nor does it say why Aven may have found the danger of sanctions sufficient to take the “unusual” step of asking for Burt’s help in setting up the secret back channel to the incoming U.S. president’s team, or whether he simply did it at Putin’s suggestion.

Alfa Bank was neck deep in a controversy between Russia and the Trump campaign at the time. Beginning in the spring of 2016, according to cyber analysts, Alfa Bank’s computer servers in Russia had “pinged” a rarely-used email server connected to the Trump Organization more than 2,700 times with computer-domain “look-ups” — essentially a knock on the door from one computer server seeking to talk to another one. The “look-ups,” and were identified by independent computer analysts tracking Internet traffic.

One of them, Jean Camp, a computer science professor at Indiana University, examined Alfa Bank’s email “look-ups,” and posted an analysis of the Internet traffic soon after it surfaced, urging more investigation. A number of experts in the field, including Camp, said the computer traffic had the characteristics of a covert email chain that could facilitate the transfer of data or other hidden communications. The Trump server involved in the traffic was taken down in September of 2016, soon after the bank’s Washington representatives learned of questions about the suspicious activity.

Alfa Bank’s lawyers sent Camp a series of letters denying any communication with the Trump Organization and threatening legal action. In one March 2017 letter, Alfa told her the company had “never had any relationship of any kind with the Trump Organization.”

Alfa Bank sticks by that claim when it comes to the question of communication between Alfa’s computer servers and the Trump camp. Any suggestion to the contrary “is false, it’s still false, and it will always be false,” Jeffrey Birnbaum, a spokesman for the bank with the BGR Group in Washington, told TIME when asked again recently about the suspicious cyber activity. “There was never any sort of electronic communication — ever,” Birnbaum says.

After the election, Daniel Jones, a former senior national security investigator with both the FBI and the Senate Intelligence Committee who now leads a private investigative firm, used a team of computer analysts to examine the Alfa Bank server traffic, and says that the computer traffic in 2016 was “highly unusual.” Jones’ team found that 80% of the traffic going to one particular server at the Trump Organization was coming from Alfa Bank. “The question is why?” says Jones.

Jones says the Mueller report deepens the mystery. “Who knows what they were doing with the Alfa server but this new evidence certainly raises all sorts of additional questions,” Jones said in an interview. Camp says she finds it striking that Putin personally directed Aven to create a Trump backchannel, even after Alfa Bank repeatedly denied that any relationship existed before that. “I feel vindicated knowing that there really were communications going on,” she said.

Mueller’s redacted report doesn’t mention the cyber-traffic, or say whether there were any communications during the campaign between Alfa Bank and the Trump camp. “We still don’t know the full story,” said Ilya Zaslavskiy at the Free Russia Foundation in Washington.

Mueller concluded that overall, “the evidence was not sufficient to charge that any member of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with representatives of the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election.” He did report finding “numerous links” between Russia and the Trump campaign—during the campaign and after.

Burt’s role in the proposed back channel, as outlined by Mueller, is certainly one of them. Following his work on foreign policy for the Trump campaign, Burt said that he also played a limited role in the transition in preparing Rex Tillerson for his confirmation hearing as Secretary of State.

The Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee has launched a wide-ranging investigation into possible corruption and abuse of power by the Trump Administration, issuing letters and document requests in March, prior to the Mueller report, to 81 people and groups, including many prominent business, political and personal associates of the president. Alfa Bank and Aven were not on that list, but may be of interest in the wake of the Mueller report, a committee source tells TIME.

The House intelligence committee is also preparing oversight hearings based in part on Mueller’s findings. Staffers declined to say whether Aven and Alfa bank will be a subject of their ongoing probe.

‘I’m Devastated.’ Jamie Oliver Announces His U.K. Restaurant Chain Has Filed for Bankruptcy

Posted: 21 May 2019 10:19 AM PDT

(LONDON) — Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s British restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, partly due to increased competition and escalating rents in local commercial districts.

The insolvency will leave 1,000 people out of work and reignited worries about local retail and food outlets in Britain, which are struggling to attract customers much like downtowns in the United States.

“I’m devastated that our much-loved U.K. restaurants have gone into administration,” Oliver wrote on Twitter. “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years.”

Financial firm KPMG, which will oversee the process, said all but three of the group’s 25 eateries will close. They include restaurants in the Jamie’s Italian chain, as will the more upmarket Fifteen, and steak house Barbecoa.

Two restaurants and a diner at Gatwick Airport will continue to operate while joint administrators explore options for the site. Overseas branches of Jamie’s Italian, Jamie’s Pizzeria and Jamie’s Deli, are not affected, nor is Fifteen Cornwall, which operates as a franchise.

Oliver said Jamie’s Italian was launched in 2008 “with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining” with higher quality ingredients, animal welfare standards, better service and good value.

But the launch came just as local businesses throughout the U.K. were squeezed by the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Rising food prices, increasing rents and competition took a toll.

The company had been in trouble for at least two years, despite Oliver’s global fame on the back of his cookbooks and television shows. Last year, it shuttered 12 of its 37 sites in Britain, while five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie’s Italian were sold off and another put into administration.

He has personally pumped 13 million pounds into his Italian chain, but it was not enough.

“I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected,” he said.

Will Wright, a partner at KPMG and joint administrator, said that the directors at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group had worked hard to stabilize the business, but costs were rising and consumer confidence was brittle.

He said the priority now is to support those that have been made redundant.

Simon Mydlowski, a partner at Yorkshire law firm Gordons and an expert on the hospitality industry, said Jamie’s is the latest brand that has failed to keep pace in a rapidly changing sector where a business needs to keep evolving.

“A number of suppliers will have been caught unawares here, perhaps showing a little too much trust in the Jamie Oliver name, but this is not the first big restaurant chain to have suffered and it won’t be the last,” he said in a statement.

“Faced with higher rent, rising food prices and increased competition, restaurants need a point of difference — it’s no coincidence that smaller brands with the freedom and flexibility to keep things fresh are currently the ones performing well.”

U.K. Prime Minister’s Latest Brexit Compromise: A Chance for a Second Referendum

Posted: 21 May 2019 09:06 AM PDT

(LONDON) — British Prime Minister Theresa May says Parliament will get the chance to vote on whether to hold a new referendum on Britain’s EU membership, as she tries to get lawmakers to back her divorce deal with the European Union.

May says Tuesday that an EU withdrawal agreement bill that she plans to bring to Parliament next month will include a provision for a vote on whether to hold a new public poll on whether to leave. That is a key demand of many opposition lawmakers.

May is offering concessions in what she says is a “last chance” to secure an orderly British departure from the bloc.

The deal that she struck with the EU has been rejected by UK lawmakers three times already.

Ukraine’s New President Signs Decree to Dissolve Parliament and Calls for Snap Election

Posted: 21 May 2019 08:33 AM PDT

(KIEV, Ukraine) — Ukraine’s new president on Tuesday ordered the dissolution of the nation’s legislature and called a snap election in two months, hoping to ride the wave of his electoral success to get his supporters into parliament.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old comedian who won 73% of the vote last month, announced his intention to disband parliament in his inauguration speech Monday, saying that current lawmakers are focused on self-enrichment and lack public trust.

He quickly fulfilled the promise in Tuesday’s decree that set the parliamentary election for July 21.

The election to the Verkhovna Rada was originally scheduled for Oct. 27, a situation that would have put Zelenskiy in a position where he would face a parliament dominated by supporters of former President Petro Poroshenko and would be unable to pursue his agenda for months.

Zelenskiy, who has become famous for playing the role of a Ukrainian president in a widely popular TV sitcom, is gambling that his popularity will allow his party to make a successful showing in the parliamentary vote.

“Zelenskiy is trying to act as quickly as possible, because he realizes that voters’ excitement will cool down in half-a-year,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kiev-based independent think-tank Penta.

His foes in parliament sought to push back his inauguration past the May 27 deadline by which the parliament can be dissolved, but eventually had to submit to public pressure.

Zelenskiy’s landslide victory reflected Ukrainians’ exasperation with the country’s economic woes and rampant official corruption and the country’s political elite.

Zelenskiy already has asked several top ministers to step down, but he will likely have trouble getting their successors appointed by the current parliament.

In his inaugural speech, Zelenskiy said that the main goal for the presidency is to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, where government troops have been fighting Russia-backed separatists for five years in a conflict that has left at least 13,000 dead.

Huawei Founder Believes New U.S. Order Will Have No Impact on Sales

Posted: 21 May 2019 06:57 AM PDT

(BEIJING) — The founder of Huawei expressed confidence Washington’s curbs on sales to the Chinese tech giant will have little impact and said Tuesday it is discussing “emergency relief” from Google for possible loss of services for its smartphone business.

Huawei Technologies Ltd., the biggest maker of network gear for phone carriers, has “supply backups” if it loses access to American components, Ren Zhengfei told Chinese reporters. His comments were broadcast by state TV and other outlets.

The Trump administration’s order last week steps up pressure on Huawei, which Washington says is a security risk, and threatens to hamper sales of network gear and other products. Huawei is the No. 2 global smartphone brand but relies on Google’s Android operating system and U.S. components suppliers.

China’s government repeated its promise to defend Chinese companies abroad but gave no details of what Beijing might do.

American officials say Huawei and other Chinese telecom equipment vendors are a risk because they beholden to the ruling Communist Party. Huawei denies accusations it facilitates Chinese spying.

The U.S. controls “will have no impact within this company” and none on development of next-generation telecom technology, Ren said. He said some low-end business might be affected.

Huawei has developed its own chips for some smartphones and other products but relies on American suppliers for its most advanced components.

Huawei and Google are discussing possible “emergency relief measures” for its smartphone business, which might lose access to some of the American company’s services, Ren said. He gave no details.

Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said Monday its basic services still will work on Huawei smartphones, which use its Android operating system.

Google gave no details of what services might be curtailed. But the company would be barred from transferring hardware or software directly to Huawei. That would affect maps or other services that require the American company’s support.

Huawei trails only Samsung of South Korea in global smartphone sales. Industry analysts say it might struggle to compete if it cannot line up replacements for Google services that run afoul of the U.S. curbs.

“I should say this impact will be very big, but Google is an extremely good company,” Ren said. “We are discussing emergency relief measures.”

A foreign ministry spokesman accused Washington of misusing “state power” to hurt foreign companies and interfere in commercial markets.

“The Chinese government has determination and ability to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests,” said the spokesman, Lu Kang.

Apple Inc., Huawei’s main American rival in smartphones, makes a prominent potential target for Beijing. The company’s iPhones are assembled in China and the country is its No. 2 market after the United States.

Attacking Apple might be politically awkward for Chinese leaders who have accused Washington of mistreating Huawei. Business groups say Chinese officials are trying to reassure American companies they are welcome despite Beijing’s tariff war with President Donald Trump. But regulators have an array of tools including tax and safety inspections that can hamper a company with no official acknowledgement it is targeted.

Huawei’s U.S. sales collapsed in 2012 after a congressional panel told phone carriers to avoid the company and its smaller Chinese competitor, ZTE Corp., as security threats.

Despite that, Huawei’s sales elsewhere have grown rapidly. The company reported earlier its global sales rose 19.5% last year over 2017 to 721.2 billion ($105.2 billion). Profit rose 25.1% to 59.3 billion yuan ($8.6 billion).

Huawei smartphone shipments rose 50 percent over a year earlier in the first three months of 2019 to 59.1 million, while the global industry’s total fell 6.6%, according to IDC. Shipments by Samsung and No. 3 Apple declined.

Last week’s order, however, threatens to disrupt Huawei’s global business by limiting access to components for products sold everywhere, not just in the U.S. market.

It will take effect after a 90-day grace period that will allow some transactions to allow telecom operators that depend on Huawei equipment for “critical services” time to make other arrangements, the U.S. Department of Commerce said Monday in a notice on its website.

Washington has tried to persuade U.S. allies to shun Huawei as a supplier of fifth-generation technology. Australia, Taiwan and some other governments have imposed curbs on use of Huawei technology, but Germany, France and other countries still do business with the company.

Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai blames US for sinking trade deal

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai blames US for sinking trade deal
Washington has long suspected deep links between Huawei and the Chinese military, and its moves against the company came amid the churning trade dispute.

Source: TFE

Fresh trouble for Pragya Thakur, Kamal Nath mulls reopening decade-old Sunil Joshi murder case

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Fresh trouble for Pragya Thakur, Kamal Nath mulls reopening decade-old Sunil Joshi murder case
Pragya Thakur is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bhopal on a BJP ticket against the Congress' two-time chief minister, Digvijaya Singh. The exit polls indicate of a victory for Thakur.

Source: TFE

Rupee opens higher at 69.67 per dollar against the previous close of 69.71

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Rupee opens higher at 69.67 per dollar against the previous close of 69.71
The Indian rupee opened slightly higher at 69.67 per dollar on Wednesday morning against the previous close 69.71 ahead of Lok Sabha election results to be announced tomorrow.

Source: TFE

Gold hovers near 2-week low on strong dollar ahead of US Federal Reserve’s minutes

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Gold hovers near 2-week low on strong dollar ahead of US Federal Reserve's minutes
The dollar hovered near a four-week high supported by higher U.S. yields, which rose overnight after the United States eased trade restrictions on Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

Source: TFE

Oil slides on rising US crude stockpiles, Saudi Arabia vow to keep market balanced

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Oil slides on rising US crude stockpiles, Saudi Arabia vow to keep market balanced
Official data from the U.S Energy Information Administration's oil stockpiles report is due later on Wednesday.

Source: TFE

Global markets: Asia stocks fragile as trade anxiety overshadows Huawei reprieve

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Global markets: Asia stocks fragile as trade anxiety overshadows Huawei reprieve
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan moved in and out of the red and last stood little changed.

Source: TFE

Iraq seeks to calm tensions, to send urgent delegations to US

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Iraq seeks to calm tensions, to send urgent delegations to US
On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission, days after Washington evacuated staff from Iraq, citing Iranian threats.

Source: TFE

81% of Indian firms plan to divest in next 2 years: EY report

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

81% of Indian firms plan to divest in next 2 years: EY report
About 63% respondents said their last divestment was driven by a need to streamline their operating model, with 86% adding that it will continue to be a key factor in their divestment plans over the next 12 months.

Source: TFE

Opposition’s defeat imminent, doubt over EVMs bogus: Nitish Kumar

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Opposition's defeat imminent, doubt over EVMs bogus: Nitish Kumar
Almost all exit polls have predicted an easy win for the BJP-led NDA under Narendra Modi's leadership. The NDA is projected to bag more than 300 seats in 543 members Lok Sabha.

Source: TFE

Dassault Systemes set to give a leg up to Indian manufacturing

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

Dassault Systemes set to give a leg up to Indian manufacturing
Bernard Charles, vice chairman and CEO, Dassault Systemes, said the lack of innovative knowhow in the country provides a huge opportunity for the company .

Source: TFE

What will steer share market today: Lok Sabha election results, Rupee and other key things to watch out for

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

What will steer share market today: Lok Sabha election results, Rupee and other key things to watch out for
The Indian headline indices- Sensex and Nifty are likely to open positive ahead of Lok Sabha election results on Thursday. The stock market has been on a rally since exit poll results predicted victory for BJP.

Source: TFE

TPG Growth to sell CTSI to Varian for $283 million

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:07 AM PDT

TPG Growth to sell CTSI to Varian for $283 million
TPG said in a release that when CTSI was first acquired by TPG Growth, it operated one facility in Hyderabad.

Source: TFE

Sahil Vachani: Building Max Group#39;s real estate dreams

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Sahil Vachani: Building Max Group#39;s real estate dreams
Sahil Vachani: Building Max Group#39;s real estate dreams The 36-year-old has led a turnaround in Max Ventures, and has just opened the Group#39;s first real estate property

Source: MC

Jindal Steel slumps 10% as loss widens in Q4

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Jindal Steel slumps 10% as loss widens in Q4
Jindal Steel slumps 10% as loss widens in Q4 Total expenses of the company stood at Rs 11,850.61 crore in March 2019 quarter as compared to Rs 8,493.57 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal.

Source: MC

Suzuki Motorcycle India reveals accessories list for Gixxer SF Gixxer SF 250

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Suzuki Motorcycle India reveals accessories list for Gixxer SF Gixxer SF 250
Suzuki Motorcycle India reveals accessories list for Gixxer SF Gixxer SF 250 Most of these accessories are for aesthetic purposes, but some are functional too

Source: MC

Makers Labs Standalone March 2019 Net Sales at Rs 7.96 crore, down 41.07% Y-o-Y

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Makers Labs Standalone March 2019 Net Sales at Rs 7.96 crore, down 41.07% Y-o-Y
Makers Labs Standalone March 2019 Net Sales at Rs 7.96 crore, down 41.07% Y-o-Y NULL

Source: MC

IT and banks our top pick; normal monsoon will boost consumption: Axis Securities

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

IT and banks our top pick; normal monsoon will boost consumption: Axis Securities
Arun Thukral We are of the opinion that the discretionary consumption would bounce back if the monsoon is ‘normal’, liquidity situation eases and stable government is in place, said Arun Thukral of Axis Securities

Source: MC

Soybean futures expected to trade sideways: Angel Commodities

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Soybean futures expected to trade sideways: Angel Commodities
Soybean futures expected to trade sideways: Angel Commodities According to Angel Commodities, Soybean futures expected to trade sideways in coming days due to lower physical demand by the oil mills.

Source: MC

Gold prices expected to trade lower today: Angel Commodities

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Gold prices expected to trade lower today: Angel Commodities
Gold prices expected to trade lower today: Angel Commodities According to Angel Commodities, on the MCX, gold prices are expected to trade lower today, international markets are trading lower by 0.15 percent at $1275.15 per ounce.

Source: MC

Rupee trades marginally lower at 69.74 per dollar

Posted: 22 May 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Rupee trades marginally lower at 69.74 per dollar
Rupee trades marginally lower at 69.74 per dollar Today, USD-INR pair is expected to quote in the range of 69.40 and 70.05, says Motilal Oswal.

Source: MC

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