| APNewsBreak: Suspect in Nazi bomb plot kicked out of Army Posted: 30 Apr 2019 12:23 PM PDT  LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Army veteran accused of plotting terrorist attacks in Southern California was demoted and discharged from the military for a serious offense, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
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| Medicare for All Would Also Be Expensive for All Posted: 30 Apr 2019 05:00 AM PDT  Most of the Democrats' proposals claim that they can reduce costs, but they cannot do so unless they take on two of the most sympathetic and powerful actors in the U.S. health care system: hospitals and physicians. Both of them are more likely to co-opt Medicare for All than to allow it to harm their interests. To get a sense of their influence, consider that only about 21 percent of U.S. health care costs are attributable to drug and insurance companies.
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| Trump Lashes Out after Firefighters’ Union Endorses Biden Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:23 PM PDT  President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden traded barbs on Monday after a firefighters' union endorsed Biden, becoming the first major labor group to back a candidate in the 2020 race.The International Association of Fire Fighters announced its decision in a video message that described Biden as an advocate for the middle class."Joe's a lot like our firefighters. He's a problem solver who cares deeply about America and committed to making our country better. He's one of the staunchest advocates for working families," said Harold Schaitberger, the IAFF's general president. "He knows that a strong middle class means a strong America, and we know, as president, he will stand up for all the patriotic Americans who want nothing more than to earn a decent wage, send their kids to college, have affordable health care and a decent and secure retirement."> BREAKING NEWS: The International Association of Fire Fighters endorses @joebiden for President of the United States. https://t.co/yewUm8wMGd> > -- IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) April 29, 2019Biden said on Twitter that he "couldn't be more proud" to have the union's backing. "Unions built the middle class in this country -- and as President, I'll fight to strengthen them and grow the backbone of this country," he wrote.Later Monday, Trump attacked Biden and the IAFF on Twitter, accusing the union of charging exorbitant dues and claiming that its members would rather support him than Biden.> I'll never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019Biden responded by tweeting that he is "sick" of Trump "badmouthing unions."> I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work.> > -- Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 29, 2019Biden has long had the support of organized labor and has strong ties to unions. He is formally launching his campaign Monday with a rally in Pittsburgh at the union hall of Teamsters Local 249.
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| Japanese thank departing emperor whose era marked shift from 1980s boom Posted: 29 Apr 2019 10:38 PM PDT  More than anything, people said they hoped peace would define the reign of Crown Prince Naruhito, who will become emperor on Wednesday, ushering in the Reiwa era. "Heisei had a lot of disasters and the economy stagnated," 47-year-old Kaori Hisatomi said in the capital Tokyo, where ceremonies were underway at the Imperial Palace. Now it's more, 'What can I do to survive?'" Japan is marking the transition to 59-year-old Naruhito, who will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday, with an unprecedented 10-day holiday.
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| Fearing an Attack, Wounded Rabbi Said California Synagogue Relied on Armed Volunteers for Protection Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:04 PM PDT  "If funds were made available for houses of worship, that could have made a difference"
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| Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:27 PM PDT ![Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike]( "Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike") NASA is conducting a drill this week to see how we'd prepare if a giant asteroid was hurtling toward the Earth.
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| Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State group's elusive leader Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:26 PM PDT  Islamic State group chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in an IS propaganda video released Monday, remains the world's most wanted man, despite the jihadists' "caliphate" imploding weeks ago. After declaring himself caliph in 2014, Baghdadi held sway over seven million people across swathes of Syria and Iraq, where IS implemented its brutal version of Islamic law. It is unclear when the footage was filmed, but the man said to be Baghdadi referred to last week's deadly attack in Sri Lanka and to the months-long fight for IS's final bastion Baghouz, which ended in late March.
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| Mueller Complained to Barr About His Spin on Russia Probe Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:21 PM PDT  Photo Illustration by Lyne Lucien/The Daily Beast/Photos from GettySpecial counsel Robert Mueller expressed concern in late March about how Attorney General William Barr "publicized" the Mueller Report's conclusions in the summaries he gave to Congress before releasing the full report.In a March 27 letter—just three days after Barr sent his report summary to Congress—Mueller said Barr's own take on the findings "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this office's work and conclusions," according to The Washington Post."There is now public confusion about critical aspects of the results of our investigation," Mueller wrote. "This threatens to undermine a central purpose for which the Department appointed the Special Counsel: to assure full public confidence in the outcome of the investigations." The letter also requested Barr release the report's "introductions and executive summaries," in order to "alleviate the misunderstandings that have arisen" among the public and Congress about the probe.The letter was reportedly followed by a 15-minute phone call between the two, in which Mueller said he was concerned about the news coverage about the obstruction of justice portion of the investigation. While the special counsel reportedly did not think Barr's letter to Congress was "inaccurate," he feared that media coverage of the probe was "creating public misunderstandings" about his office's work. In the summaries Barr sent to Congress, he wrote that Mueller and his team "did not draw a conclusion—one way or the other—as to whether the examined conduct constituted obstruction." Barr then went onto write that the report outlined "no actions that, in our judgement, constitute obstructive conduct[.]" Barr previously said he disagreed with some of Mueller's legal theories in the obstruction of justice probe into President Trump. The attorney general is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, the first time lawmakers will be able to question Barr about the report since its release.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here
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| Violent clashes in Venezuela after opposition leader Juan Guaido calls for military uprising Posted: 30 Apr 2019 09:31 AM PDT  Violent clashes broke out in Venezuela's capital on Tuesday as opposition leader Juan Guaido took to the streets alongside armed soldiers and supporters after calling for a military uprising. A few thousand protesters were pelted with tear gas in Caracas and at one point an armoured vehicle rammed into the crowds, appearing to leave some people injured. Earlier in the day Mr Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, released a video of himself alongside around a dozen soldiers who he claimed had defected. He praised the "braze soldiers" and urged more to do likewise, saying the "final push" toward removing embattled socialist president Nicolas Maduro was underway. Leopoldo Lopez, a fellow opposition politician, also appeared in the video despite being under house arrest since 2017. He claimed forces loyal to Mr Guaido had released him. En el marco de nuestra constitución. Y por el cese definitivo de la usurpación. https://t.co/3RD2bnQhxt— Juan Guaidó (@jguaido) April 30, 2019 Mr Maduro's government labelled the move an attempted "coup", a description echoed by supportive politicians abroad, and vowed to crack down on the "military traitors". Mr Maduro later said military leaders had assured him they remained loyal. There were few public signs that Mr Guaido's call had triggered a broader revolt among commanders. Senior US administration figures gave their vocal backing, with president Donald Trump, vice president Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton all issuing supportive statements. But Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, urged "maximum restraint" on all sides, while the body's spokesman said the dispute must be resolved "peacefully". Sir Alan Duncan, the UK government minister for the Americas, said he was watching events "very closely", adding that Mr Guaido had shown "courage, creativity and resolution". Mr Guaido and his supporters gathered near the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, the military airport in Caracas where his video appeared to have been shot. Around 70 soldiers wearing blue armbands in support for Mr Guaido reportedly squared off against security forces loyal to the regime. One pro-Guaido solider was injured in the clashes. As more supporters joined, the scenes turned increasingly ugly. Footage showed water cannons being used on the crowds and, at one moment, a military vehicle smashing into protesters. The call for a military uprising was the boldest attempt yet by Mr Guaido, who cited constitutional powers back in January to declare himself interim president, to force Mr Maduro from power. Opposition demonstrators clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after troops joined opposition leader Juan Guaido Credit: Matias DELACROIX / AFP His claim has been supported by America and more than 50 other countries, some of whom have implemented sanctions. But others, including Russia, are backing Mr Maduro. In the video, Mr Guaido, 35, spoke directly to camera as more than a dozen soldiers dressed in military uniform, some holding guns, stood to attention behind him. "Today, brave soldiers, brave patriots, brave men loyal to the Constitution have followed our call," said Mr Guaido, who is also president of the country's National Assembly. He called on people to take to the streets all over Venezuela and claimed that "the definitive end of the usurpation starts today". He added: "Today as the caretaker president of Venezuela, as the legitimate commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I call on all soldiers, the military family, to accompany us in this mission." Support for Venezuela leadership Mr Lopez, seen as Mr Guaido's political mentor, stood behind him and watched on. He later said he had been released from house arrest by security forces adhering to an order from Mr Guaido. "I want to tell the Venezuelan people: This is the moment to take to the streets and accompany these patriotic soldiers," Mr Lopez said. Soon after the video, which appeared to have been filmed in the early morning, was posted online the move was condemned by Mr Maduro's ministers. Vladimir Padrino, the Venezuelan defence minister, said: "We reject this coup movement, which aims to fill the country with violence." He insisted the country's forces remained loyal to Mr Maduro. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido posted a video of himself near the Generalisimo Francisco de Miranda Airbase in Caracas Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Jorge Rodriguez, the country's information minister, wrote on Twitter that the "military traitors" who were seeking to promote a "coup" were being confronted. A Kremlin spokesman and the Bolivan president Evo Morales, key allies of Mr Maduro, called the uprising a "coup" attempt. Cuba's foreign minister also denounced the move. But Donald Trump's administration issued statements of support. Mr Trump himself tweeted that "the United States stands with the People of Venezuela and their Freedom!" and that he was monitoring the situation "very closely". Mr Pence tweeted to Mr Guaido and his supporters: "We are with you! America will stand with you until freedom and democracy are restored." Sprain, instrumental in shaping the European Union's stance on Venezuela, was more cautious, with a government spokesman calling for a "peaceful democratic process" rather than "bloodshed". It was unclear whether Mr Guaido's message had resonated with the military leaders whose support is critical in keeping Mr Maduro in power despite a crumbling economy and electricity blackouts. A soldier in the group with Mr Guaido denied government claims they had been tricked into acting, telling Reuters: "We're all afraid, but we had to do it." Another protest called for by Mr Guaido and his supporters is due to take place on Wednesday.
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| The Latest: 7 Tennessee victims died of blunt force injuries Posted: 30 Apr 2019 02:53 PM PDT  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Latest on the investigation into seven people killed in rural Tennessee (all times local):
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| Number of measles cases in the U.S. reach 704, the highest point this century Posted: 29 Apr 2019 02:34 PM PDT  The CDC reports 704 confirmed cases of measles. The figure is the highest number of cases since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
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| Whoa there Democrats – Joe Biden isn't as electable as you think Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:06 AM PDT  The idea that the presidential candidate has a lock on white rust-belt voters is wrong in so many ways Joe Biden. 'The assumption that white rust-belt voters can only be won over by white candidates does not stack up to recent history.' Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Joe Biden has many strengths as a presidential candidate: experience, policy smarts, respect for the rule of law, an ability to do something more than watch cable news. Even a Sleepy Joe is a significant upgrade on a Dumbass Donald. But what Biden doesn't possess, no matter how many times lazy reporters and pundits say it, is a steel-like grip on the rust belt states that could decide the general election. No matter what you think of his politics or personality, the electability debate is – as the candidate might say himself – a bunch of malarkey. Yes, Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and his family stories about his father's economic hardship are powerful and endearing. Yes, his Finnegan relatives in Scranton voted for Trump and may give him some insights into how to win such voters back. But Team Biden should draw some profound lessons from the last time their candidate ran a presidential campaign, all of 12 years ago. Biden may be the instant frontrunner in national polls this time around, but his single-digit lead is trailing the double-digit margins that Hillary Clinton enjoyed at the same time in 2007. Even in Pennsylvania, where Biden holds a double-digit lead over Bernie Sanders today, he pales in comparison to Clinton's 20-point and even 30-point distance ahead of Barack Obama in 2007. Those poll leads evaporated nationally when Obama won the Iowa caucuses. Even in Pennsylvania, Clinton's commanding position collapsed as Obama started to win more and more primaries. Frontrunner status and polling leads are delusional foundations for a presidential campaign. As their poll leads were melting away, the Clinton campaign and the national media extensively litigated the electability debate through the course of 2008. In fact, the long Pennsylvania primary of April 2008 was the time and place where every possible angle was explored. Obama couldn't connect with blue-collar votes because he was so intellectual. He couldn't connect with the party machine because he was such an upstart. He couldn't connect with white voters because he was so black. He couldn't connect with black voters because he was so white. Hell, he couldn't even get a respectable score at the bowling alley. What a loser. If all that coverage sounds far-fetched, well, it was, and nobody but the Obama campaign seemed to mind. In any case, they had other problems. One was that the candidate appeared to dismiss small town voters by suggesting they were embittered by job losses, and were clinging to God, guns and racism as a result. The other was his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, whose fiery sermons weren't exactly an appeal to white Pennsylvania voters. It was easy to find such voters saying they didn't think much of that Obama guy. Sure enough, Clinton won the Pennsylvania primary by 9 points and everyone could feel good about the electability coverage. But it was still deeply wrong. Obama went on to win the next primary in North Carolina and only narrowly lost in Indiana. The whole set of sweeping assumptions underlying the white working-class voter theory should have been buried at that stage. But they weren't, and they still stalk the political landscape like zombies. If white working-class voters can only connect with candidates who share their white working-class experience, then how exactly did Obama win Pennsylvania by a 10-point margin in the general election in 2008? How on earth did he even win Indiana on the same night? For those who want to argue that Obama's success was all down to the financial crisis, you might want to remember that Obama won Pennsylvania again, four years later, by a 5-point margin. This recent history does not mean that life is easy for candidates of color. If the Trump years have taught us anything, it is that overt racism can be a powerful driver of identity politics for a highly motivated minority of voters. Demonizing and abusing immigrants has helped Donald Trump lock down his support among Republican voters. His language about a supposed invasion at the border has seeped into mainstream coverage, unchallenged, despite all the data that clearly shows that immigration is far from its historic highs. But beyond Trump's torch-wielding nativists, what basis is there for thinking that rust-belt voters need a white face in the White House? There are some ugly and stupid assumptions masquerading as political analysis here. The first is that white working-class voters have different concerns from their African-American or Latino co-workers. As if they don't share the same daily struggles over low wages, expensive healthcare, and poor schools. The second assumption is worse: that white rust-belt voters are somehow more important or more representatively American than any other type of voter. Thus the endless stories about how Trump country views all of Trump's troubles (spoiler alert: they don't care). The third assumption is that if Trump fears Biden's ability to steal his voters, then there must be something real going on. As if Trump's fears and sense of reality are in any way connected to anything beyond what's currently airing on Fox News. This isn't an argument for ignoring the needs of white rust-belt voters, or writing them off as lost to all Democrats. That would also be stupid: Democrats need to peel away some of those voters to win. But the assumption that such voters can only be won over by white candidates does not stack up to recent history. Clinton was supposed to have a lock on Pennsylvania compared to Obama, but he won the state twice in two general elections and she lost it. Make no mistake: Biden is a formidable candidate in the Democratic primaries. His insights into how to appeal to traditional working voters – of all classes and colors – will fuel a heated debate with Sanders. They just won't give him a lock on the rust belt. Trump may or may not be so vulnerable that he has convinced every sentient, sane Democrat that they can beat him handily. The Trump of 2020 is not the same Trump of 2016 who promised rust belt voters that he would bring back manufacturing jobs and drain the swamp in Washington. Biden himself likes to say – among many other pithy aphorisms – that we shouldn't compare him to the almighty; that we should compare him to the alternative. That is also true of every other Democratic candidate. Compared to the alternative, Joe from Scranton has no more advantage than Kamala from Oakland or Cory from Newark. • Richard Wolffe is a columnist for the Guardian US. He is the author of Renegade: The Making of a President
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| Seattle crane collapse: 'Words can't describe what a good partner he was,' says widow of one of 4 killed Posted: 29 Apr 2019 11:11 AM PDT  Among those who were killed in the Seattle crane collapse were two ironworkers and a student.
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| The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS In Photos Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:35 AM PDT |
| Wayne LaPierre re-elected NRA chief, survives power struggle Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:47 PM PDT  The NRA board voted unanimously in favor of LaPierre, who has been with the NRA for 40 years and has helped convert it into one of the most powerful lobbies in the United States, expanding gun rights even as the United States has endured multiple mass shootings. North, a revered figure in conservative political circles for his role in the Iran-Contra affair as an aide to President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, became NRA president a year ago.
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| Southwest Says It Wasn't Told by Boeing That a Safety Alert on the 737 Max Had Been Deactivated Posted: 29 Apr 2019 01:15 AM PDT  The FAA reportedly did not know about the change either.
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| Armored Vehicles Crush Anti-Maduro Protesters in Caracas Posted: 30 Apr 2019 10:33 AM PDT  Protesters loyal to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó were crushed under armored cars driven by pro-government forces during a violent uprising that racked the streets of Caracas on Tuesday after Guaidó launched a push to end socialist president Nicolás Maduro's regime.Violent clashes ensued Tuesday morning after Guaidó, who declared himself interim president of the nation earlier this year, finally called on his supporters to take to the streets in response to the starvation and poverty that have taken root under Maduro.One video of the violence showed pro-government forces in an armored car accelerating into a crowd of protesters who had breached a barrier surrounding La Carlota air base, where soldiers rebelled to join the opposition Tuesday morning.> ���� | REBELIÓN EN VENEZUELA: Tanquetas militares arrollan a grupo de manifestantes en Caracas: pic.twitter.com/BLirOAoFkP> > -- Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) April 30, 2019Local authorities have not yet reported any fatalities, but many are said to be injured.Maduro and his defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, have stated their intention to put down the rebellion by force. They remain in control of much of the country's military leadership, though initial reports suggested more rank-and-file soldiers had begun defecting as the day went on."A mediocre coup d'etat attempt has failed," Padrino said Tuesday on a local radio broadcast.Guaidó declared himself the rightful president of Venezuela earlier this year after being chosen to lead the opposition by the National Assembly. He took to the streets Tuesday with his top deputy, Leopoldo Lopez, who had just been freed from house arrest, to march with anti-government protesters.Guaidó's spokesman disputed the regime's claims that the day's events amounted to a coup attempt, casting the rebellion instead as an effort to implement the will of the Venezuelan people."This is not a military coup. This is a constitutional process led by the Venezuelan people under the leadership of a civilian, the interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaidó," he said.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence expressed the Trump administration's enthusiastic support for the protesters in a series of statements released Tuesday morning.
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| Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed Posted: 29 Apr 2019 02:30 PM PDT ![Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed]( "Job post seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants removed") FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia tech staffing company has apologized after an online job posting sought "preferably Caucasian" applicants.
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| Judge Napolitano says Trump attacked him 'to divert attention' from Mueller report Posted: 29 Apr 2019 11:23 AM PDT  The Fox News legal analyst stands by his claim that the Mueller report shows the president obstructed justice.
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| Kidnapping averted as 8-year-old 'hero' pulls sister from moving car, police say Posted: 29 Apr 2019 07:52 AM PDT  An 8-year-old and his older sister jumped out of a moving vehicle that was being stolen with them inside, Ohio police say.
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| After Sri Lanka blasts, government targets the niqab veil Posted: 29 Apr 2019 08:34 PM PDT  KATTANKUDY, Sri Lanka (AP) — As Sri Lanka's long civil war ended in this once-contested region along its eastern coast, Muslim women eager to show their piousness began wearing the black niqab veil to hide their faces.
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| Chase tried to motivate customers with lower bank balances. It backfired badly. Posted: 30 Apr 2019 12:42 PM PDT  Chase Bank tried to offer customers on Twitter some #MondayMotivation to save money. The backlash was so strong the banking giant deleted their tweet.
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| Chicago Prosecutor Kim Foxx Subpoenaed over Handling of Smollett Case Posted: 29 Apr 2019 08:40 AM PDT  Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx has been subpoenaed to appear in court by a retired appellate judge who is seeking a special prosecutor to investigate the "irregularities" associated with Foxx's handling of the Jussie Smollett case.The retired judge, Sheila O'Brien, filed a series of subpoenas Friday demanding that Foxx, Foxx's top deputy Joseph Magats, and Smollett himself appear in court bearing the original documents produced in connection with the hoax Smollett allegedly staged, the Chicago Sun Times reported.Foxx dropped all charges against Smollett in late March, weeks after the police produced substantial evidence to suggest he'd staged a hate crime against himself to advance his career. In her petition requesting the appointment of a special prosecutor, O'Brien said Foxx's handling of the case was "plagued with irregularities.""Foxx's conflict in this matter is beyond dispute," O'Brien wrote, adding that Foxx should have sought appointment of a special prosecutor rather than informally recusing herself. "Instead, Foxx misled the public into believing that Smollett's case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence," she said.After announcing to the public that she had recused herself from the case based on some unspecified conflict of interest, Foxx intervened in the investigation on behalf of one of Smollett's relatives. The relative reached out to Foxx through Tina Tchen, Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, to ask that the case be transferred to the FBI to prevent leaks to the media. Foxx attempted to comply with that request but was rebuffed by Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson, according to text messages obtained by the Sun Times.Foxx also continued to manage the case by cautioning Magats against aggressively prosecuting Smollett."Sooo……I'm recused, but when people accuse us of overcharging cases…16 counts on a class 4 becomes exhibit A," Foxx wrote to Magats in a text message sent in early March and obtained by the Chicago Tribune."Pedophile with 4 victims 10 counts. Washed up celeb who lied to cops, 16. On a case eligible for deferred prosecution I think it's indicative of something we should be looking at generally. Just because we can charge something doesn't mean we should," she added, referring to the case of disgraced pop singer R. Kelly.Cook County judge Marc Martin chastised Foxx in court last week for choosing to prosecute a suburban woman for filing a false police report after declining to prosecute Smollett for the same crime."Well, Ms. Clark is not a movie star, she doesn't have a high-price lawyer, although, her lawyer's very good. And this smells, big time. I didn't create this mess, your office created this mess. And your explanation is unsatisfactory to this court. She's being treated differently," Martin said to Foxx during the court proceeding, according to a transcript obtained by a local Fox affiliate.
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| Thousands gather in Kabul for Afghan peace meeting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:04 AM PDT  Thousands of politicians and officials from across Afghanistan gathered amid tight security in Kabul Monday to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 3,000 people have been invited to the rare "loya jirga", which is being billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement. The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges.
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| Venezuela: Moscow persuaded Maduro not to step down, US claims Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:42 PM PDT  US secretary of state says leader 'had airplane on tarmac' to leave for Cuba but Russia convinced him to stay * Follow for the latest updates as clashes erupt in Venezuela The Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, "had an airplane on the tarmac" and was ready to leave for exile in Cuba when he was persuaded not to step down by Moscow, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has claimed.In a day when the struggle for power on the streets appeared to hang in the balance, and the US called on top members of the Maduro's government to defect, Pompeo suggested that the opposition uprising had come close to succeeding."We've watched throughout the day, it's been a long time since anyone's seen Maduro," Pompeo told CNN. "He had an airplane on the tarmac, he was ready to leave this morning, as we understand it, and the Russians indicated he should stay.""We think the situation remains incredibly fluid," he added. "We know there were senior leaders inside the Maduro government that were prepared to leave."Pompeo said that Maduro's plane was due to fly to Havana, but he was unclear on whether the US was offering safe passage to Havana."Mr Maduro understands what will happen if he gets on that airplane," Pompeo said. Asked what that statement meant, he added: "He knows our expectations."While Pompeo put the blame on Moscow for stalling the transfer of power, Donald Trump made no mention of Russia when he tweeted on Tuesday evening, threatening Cuba."If Cuban Troops and Militia do not immediately CEASE military and other operations for the purpose of causing death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela, a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions, will be placed on the island of Cuba," Trump said in a series of tweets. "Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!"The Trump administration put its full backing behind the opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, after he appeared in a dramatic morning video surrounded by soldiers the "final phase" of the bid to oust Maduro. Trump and key US officials tweeted their support for Guaidó, while the national security adviser, John Bolton, appeared in the grounds of the White House to declare that the situation had reached a critical moment.Bolton named three senior officials who he said had been negotiating with the opposition and accepted that the president had to be replaced.Bolton called on defence minister Vladimir Padrino, head of the supreme court, Maikel Moreno and the commander of the presidential guard, Ivan Rafael Hernandez Dala to fulfill their "commitments" to defect.He listed the names three times, in a gambit apparently designed to force their hand."We think it is still very important for key members in the regime who have been talking to the opposition over the last three months to make good on their commitments to achieve the peaceful transfer of power from the Maduro clique to interim president Juan Guiadó."All [three] agreed that Maduro had to go. They need to be able to act this afternoon or this evening to bring other military forces to the side of the interim president," Bolton said. He said it was possible that Cuba may prevent the trio from acting.Bolton also addressed a tweet to the three men, declaring: "Your time is up. This is your last chance. Accept interim president Guaidó's amnesty, protect the Constitution, and remove Maduro, and we will take you off our sanctions list. Stay with Maduro, and go down with the ship."To which the Venezuelan foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, replied: "Dream on [John Bolton] … Not today!"Arreaza had earlier pointed to Bolton's remarks as proof of US involvement in the uprising."The heads of the coup d'état admit their responsibility without scruples," Arreaza said. "The Trump administration, in its despair, attempts to spark an internal conflict in Venezuela."China, Cuba and Russia remain key backers of Maduro. Russia recently confirmed it has sent nearly a hundred military advisers to Venezuela in recent months, infuriating Washington. According to a source close to Venezuela's opposition, Guaidó did not receive US planning support or resources for his move on Tuesday, which came after months of contacts with military officials, the source said.But the opposition has nurtured links with Washington since well before Guaidó took the political center-stage in January – and such efforts took on a new impulse after Trump took office.The opposition push in Washington intensified last May, ahead of elections in Venezuela, when a plan was hatched to declare Maduro illegitimate before he would assume his second term in January.A day before Guaidó formally declared himself Venezuela's interim president on 22 January, Pence called him to promise the US backing.The next day, Trump made it official, and Washington has proved an outspoken supporter for Guaidó.But although senior US officials have repeatedly stated that "all options are on the table", the Trump administration has so far taken little concrete action beyond further tightening economic sanctions.Reuters news agency reported on Monday night that Erik Prince, a prominent and wealthy Trump supporter who runs a global private security business, has been lobbying for a plan to deploy a private army to help topple Maduro.According to the report, Prince, the founder of the controversial security firm Blackwater, has been seeking investment and political support for an operation that would involve up to 5,000 mercenaries.
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| AP Analysis: New Japanese emperor looks to match father Posted: 30 Apr 2019 01:03 AM PDT  When Crown Prince Naruhito on Wednesday becomes, by official Japanese count, the 126th person to occupy the Chrysanthemum Throne since 660 B.C., he will be ceremonially armed with the glittering, ancient imperial regalia of sword and jewel.
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| Trump directs officials to toughen asylum rules Posted: 30 Apr 2019 05:59 AM PDT  The moves are the latest effort by the Trump administration to stem a growing number of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border, many of whom then seek asylum in the United States. Many of the changes would be dramatic shifts in how asylum seekers are treated, but would also require time-intensive regulatory procedures before they go into effect, which will likely take months. Trump administration officials have repeatedly blamed U.S. laws protecting asylum seekers for encouraging fraudulent or non-deserving claims.
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| 9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties Posted: 29 Apr 2019 01:38 PM PDT ![9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties]( "9 Ways to Avoid 401(k) Fees and Penalties") Avoid the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty. If you withdraw money from your 401(k) account before age 59 1/2, you will need to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty, in addition to income tax, on the distribution. There are a couple of exceptions to the 401(k) early withdrawal penalty.
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| Teen suicide rates spiked immediately after Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why was released, study claims Posted: 30 Apr 2019 07:25 AM PDT  The suicide rate among US teenage boys rose the month after the release of 13 Reasons Why, a show which focused on an adolescent girl who ended her own life, a new study claims.Researchers examined the number of suicides in children aged 10 to 17-years-old, from January 2013 to December 2017.The show was released in March 2017.In April 2017 the suicide rate was 0.57 per 100,000 people, which was nearly 30 per cent higher than in the preceding five years examined in the study. Additional analysis found that the April rate was also higher than in the previous 19 years. There were also 195 more suicides than would have been expected in the nine months following the show's release, the study's authors estimated."Contrary to expectations, these associations were restricted to boys," they said."Among 18- to 29-year-olds and 30- to 64-year-olds, we found no significant change in level or trend of suicide after the show's release, both overall and by sex."The authors added that the show's release had no impact on the rate of murders.Their report is published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.The study cannot prove that the show was the cause for the rise in suicides. Its authors acknowledge that they were unable to account for other factors that might have played a part in some deaths.But Jeff Bridge, the study's lead author, criticised the depiction of suicide in 13 Reasons Why."The creators of the series intentionally portrayed the suicide of the main character. It was a very graphic depiction of the suicide death," he said.He added that such portrayals can trigger suicidal behaviour.Experts have noted a rise in suicide rates among US adolescents across recent years.Lisa Horowitz, the study's co-author, called the issue "a major public health crisis".Critics of 13 Reasons Why have also warned previously about the show's portrayal of suicide.Netflix has included warning messages for some of its episodes and created a website for those in crisis."We've just seen the study and are looking into the research," a spokesperson for the streaming company said.He added that a University of Pennsylvania study published last week found fewer suicidal thoughts among young adults who watched the show than in non-viewers."This is a critically important topic and we have worked hard to ensure that we handle this sensitive issue responsibly," he said."Whenever a TV series covers suicide as a topic we always recommend this is dealt with carefully and the production team really pay attention to the sensitivities involved," Lorna Fraser, who leads the Samaritans' Media Advisory Service, told The Independent."Anyone feeling vulnerable when watching a suicide storyline can find they are susceptible to triggers and this can prove harmful, so it's vital that these storylines are handled responsibly." Additional reporting by agenciesFor confidential support call Samaritans on 116 123.You can also contact the following organisations for confidential support:https://www.mind.org.uk/https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealthhttps://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
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| Sri Lanka on alert for attacks as archbishop slams poor church security Posted: 29 Apr 2019 03:40 PM PDT  The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday just passed or on Monday, security sources said. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday and security across Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said that security had not been sufficiently stepped up around churches.
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| Trump's subpoena stonewall is his most dangerous outrage yet. Why even have a Congress? Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:30 AM PDT  The Founders anticipated our historical moment. They created the House, with 'the people' on its side, to guard against a president like Donald Trump.
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| View Photos of the 2020 Land Rover Defender Prototype Posted: 30 Apr 2019 11:09 AM PDT |
| Measles cases in the U.S. just hit a 25-year high thanks to anti-vaxxers Posted: 30 Apr 2019 01:54 PM PDT  The United States just hit a major milestone, but not the kind that anyone should be proud of. With over 700 confirmed cases of the measles so far in 2019 the country just passed a 25-year high, and there's little sign that the outbreak is slowing.The spread of the disease -- which thus far has hit unvaccinated children under five years of age the hardest -- would have been absolutely unimaginable just a couple of decades ago. As recently as the year 2000, the United States had effectively eliminated the disease nationwide thanks high percentages of vaccinations, but decades of intense work by health officials to rid us of the disease has been completely undone in seemingly no time at all.The most recent report from the CDC puts the current number of infected individuals at a whopping 704. That's just the confirmed cases, mind you, so the real number is likely significantly higher. Individual outbreaks have popped up in a number of states including New York, Michigan, New Jersey, California, Oregon, Georgia, and Maryland, but that doesn't even begin to reveal the true scope of the problem.Unvaccinated children -- with no power to demand vaccinations if their anti-vaxxer parents deem it unnecessary -- are enduring the worst of it. Over one-third of the confirmed measles infections are in children under five years of age. In total, unvaccinated individuals make up well over 70 percent of the cases on record in 2019.None of this is particularly surprising if you've been following the festering growth of the anti-vaccination movement across the country. Misguided parents buying into junk science and conspiracy-minded Facebook groups have been convincing each other that vaccinations are bad for years now.One of the more popular theories in these groups is that vaccines have been linked to cases of autism -- a claim based on a since-retracted study that turned out to be a complete farce.Meanwhile, schools across the country have had to issue bans on students who are unvaccinated in order to prevent their student bodies from becoming the next outbreak hotspot. Public health officials are proposing more strict measures to ensure vaccinations are carried out, and begging government officials to eliminate vaccine exemptions before the crisis grows even more dire.
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| Beto O'Rourke unveils climate plan with Yosemite as backdrop Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:04 PM PDT  YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke on Monday announced his first major policy initiative, a $5 trillion plan to combat climate change that he says will keep the Earth from sliding past the point of no return in less than a generation.
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| American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again Posted: 29 Apr 2019 12:22 PM PDT ![American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again]( "American, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines hit by brief computer outage — again") Sabre, which handles reservations and other functions for major airlines, said it is "actively working to resolve'' the problem.
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| General Electric reports better results, lifting shares Posted: 30 Apr 2019 04:07 AM PDT  General Electric reported better-than-expected quarterly profits Tuesday behind improved performance in most industrial divisions, including aviation and oil and gas. Shares rose after the industrial conglomerate, which has struggled the last two years or so, reported first-quarter profits of $3.5 billion, compared with a loss of $1.2 billion in the year-ago period. Earnings rose in aviation, oil and gas and healthcare, offsetting a loss in renewable energy and much lower earnings in power, an albatross for GE in recent years.
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| Beluga whale wearing harness may have been trained by Russian Navy, marine experts say Posted: 29 Apr 2019 05:30 PM PDT  The whale had a harness that says "Equipment St. Petersburg," prompting speculation it may have come from a Russian military facility.
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| UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe Posted: 30 Apr 2019 02:38 PM PDT ![UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe]( "UPDATE 1-U.S. attorney general recuses self from T-Mobile, Sprint merger probe") U.S. Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from the Justice Department's deliberations on whether to allow T-Mobile to proceed with its $26 billion acquisition of Sprint, according to a source familiar with the decision. The department's Antitrust Division, headed by Makan Delrahim, is reviewing the deal to determine if it will lead to higher prices for consumers or to slower innovation, as critics allege. The Federal Communications Commission also must approve the transaction for it to go forward.
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| Venezuela's Guaido calls for uprising but military loyal to Maduro for now Posted: 30 Apr 2019 03:42 PM PDT  Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday made his strongest call yet to the military to help him oust President Nicolas Maduro but there were no concrete signs of defection from the armed forces leadership. Early on Tuesday, several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally in Caracas, and large anti-government protests in the streets turned violent. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that "as we understand it" Maduro had been ready to depart for socialist ally Cuba, but had been persuaded to stay by Russia, which has also been a steadfast supporter.
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| Trump Speaks With Rabbi Injured in Deadly California Synagogue Shooting Posted: 29 Apr 2019 06:28 AM PDT  President Trump said Monday that he phoned to offer his condolences to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the deadly California synagogue shooting over the weekend.A 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, was killed and three others injured, including Goldstein, at the Chabad of Poway synagogue when a young gunman opened fire inside during Passover service Saturday. Kaye took bullets for Goldstein, standing in front of him as he evacuated children from the synagogue, according to law enforcement.> I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!> > -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019"The President expressed his love for the Jewish people and the entire community of Poway. The President also thanked the brave members of law enforcement who acted swiftly, including the off duty border patrol agent who stopped the shooter," read a statement from White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere.Goldstein, who lost fingers in the shooting, thanked Trump for his call on Sunday, adding that the president spoke about his love of peace, Israel, and Judaism.The president first condemned the attack on Saturday, saying the nation stands with the Jewish community."Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community," Trump said at a Saturday campaign rally in Wisconsin. "We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated."A suspect, 19, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder."Here is a young man with a rifle, pointing right at me. And I look at him. He has sunglasses on. I couldn't see his eyes. I couldn't see his soul. I froze," Goldstein said at a press conference following the shooting. "Lori took the bullet for all of us, she died to protect all of us. She didn't deserve to die.""One thing's for sure. I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror," he told NBC.The attack was perpetrated by "someone with hate in their heart … towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand," Mayor Steve Vaus of Poway, where the synagogue is located, told CNN.A shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue last year killed 11 people.
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