| Joe Biden beats Donald Trump in Texas poll as he breaks from Democratic party line on abortion Posted: 06 Jun 2019 11:36 AM PDT  Joe Biden put clear water between himself and other Democrat presidential candidates on the issue of abortion as he pulled into a surprise poll lead over Donald Trump in the traditionally conservative state of Texas. He enraged pro-choice activists, and many senior Democrat colleagues, by confirming he was against the idea of the US government using taxpayers' money to fund abortion. Mr Biden's campaign confirmed he backs the Hyde amendment, a 40-year-old law banning federal funding for abortion other than in cases of incest, rape, or to save the life of the mother. The official position of the Democrat party, and every other Democrat presidential candidate, is that Hyde should be repealed. They argue the ban prevents the poorest women gaining access to abortions. Mr Biden has set out a clear strategy of trying to occupy the centre ground in 2020, distancing himself from all of the other two dozen Democrat presidential candidates. White House officials say the poll numbers will change once Mr Trump starts campaigning in earnest Credit: AP The former vice president led Mr Trump 48-44 in a a Quinnipiac University poll of voters in Texas, where victory in 2020 would virtually guarantee him the White House. Other polls gave Mr Biden 12-point leads over Mr Trump in the key "rust belt" state of Michigan, and the swing state of North Carolina. He also had a four-point lead in the usually Republican border state of Arizona. Mr Biden's stance was lambasted by fellow Democrat candidates Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris, in the biggest collective attack on him since he entered the race in April. Pro-choice activists called his position "unacceptable" and accused him of being an "out of touch white man." Karen Finney, an adviser to Hillary Clinton in 2016, said: "It's a very fine line he's trying to walk. There are just places where he is out of step with the party." A Trump campaign official said Mr Biden's stance was the same as that of the US president. Mr Biden, who is Catholic, has previously expressed his personal opposition to abortion, while supporting Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalised it. Mr Biden is the Democrat front-runner Credit: Bloomberg His position is one that could help Mr Biden to win Texas, usually the biggest Republican-voting state. Mr Trump won it by nine points in 2016, but that was the smallest margin of victory for a Republican since 1996. The Quinnipiac poll showed Mr Biden leading 55 per cent to Mr Trump's 33 per cent among Texas voters classifying themselves as "independent". Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown said: "The numbers are good for Biden." Manny Garcia, executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, said the state would become the "focal point" of the 2020 campaign. He said: "This is our moment. We all know that once Texas goes blue the Republican path to the White House will be blocked." However, White House officials remained confident the poll numbers would change once Mr Trump begins campaigning in earnest. And, despite the early surge for Mr Biden, most Americans still believe Mr Trump will be re-elected. In a CNN poll 54 per cent said they expected the US president to win again in 2020, with only 41 per cent thinking he would not.
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| Police: Body found in home confirmed to be Mouseketeer Posted: 06 Jun 2019 05:44 PM PDT ![Police: Body found in home confirmed to be Mouseketeer]( "Police: Body found in home confirmed to be Mouseketeer") The Oregon State Medical Examiner's office identified the body, although they were unable to use dental records or DNA because of the condition of the remains, Oregon State Police said Thursday. Friends and relatives had set up the Help Us Find Dennis Day Facebook page. "Our family is truly thankful to the Oregon State Police for helping to bring closure to our family so that we can finally lay Dennis to rest," Showers said.
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| What the Heck Is This Funky Ford F-150 Raptor Test Mule? Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:00 PM PDT  Is it a stubby Raptor? a bigger Bronco? This uncamouflaged and unfamiliar test vehicle has left us and the internet wondering.
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| Why the Battle of Midway Is a Bigger Deal than D-Day Posted: 07 Jun 2019 02:13 AM PDT  Thursday, June 6th saw the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion at Normandy, the amphibious assault phase of Operation Neptune, or what we commonly remember as D-Day. U.S. troops who landed at Normandy – particularly at Omaha Beach – waded ashore amidst a storm of chaos, a blizzard of machine gun fire, and a hail of plunging mortars. Despite great confusion and casualties, at the squad level and below, the men at Omaha rallied and pressed forth with tenacity and nerve to breach sand-berms and barricades, neutralize enemy positions, and salvage their sectors. Losses at Omaha were immense – but American resolve helped establish a foothold on the coast of France – and "the rest," they say, "is history."Without doubt, the enormous importance of D-Day as a logistical and operational undertaking – and the gallantry of Allied forces that June morning is unquestioned. It rightfully exemplifies American character, courage, and commitment. However, it is important to note that as far as the battle's strategic significance is concerned, a strong case can be made that other battles of World War II are more critical than D-Day.The Battle of Midway in 1942 is one.
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| Europe's 5G to cost $62 billion more if Chinese vendors banned: telcos Posted: 07 Jun 2019 02:39 AM PDT  A ban on buying telecoms equipment from Chinese firms would add about 55 billion euros ($62 billion) to the cost of 5G networks in Europe and delay the technology by about 18 months, according to an industry analysis seen by Reuters. The United States added Huawei Technologies, the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker, to a trade blacklist in May, prompting global tech giants to cut ties with the Chinese company and putting pressure on European countries to follow suit. Washington alleges Huawei's equipment can be used by Beijing for spying, something the company has repeatedly denied.
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| The Legacy of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:42 AM PDT  China's leaders have tried to erase all record of what happened in the Tiananmen Square massacre—but the country's legacy is contradictory.
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| Former Bengal faces assault charges in American Samoa Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:48 PM PDT ![Former Bengal faces assault charges in American Samoa]( "Former Bengal faces assault charges in American Samoa") Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene faces charges he used a pipe, golf club and broom handle to assault his wife and his sister over allegations he had an extramarital affair while on a trip to Hawaii, according to court documents filed this week. Fanene has been charged in the district court of American Samoa with eight felonies, including kidnapping and assault, and five misdemeanors. Defense lawyer Marcellus Talaimalo Uiagalelei, who declined to comment to The Associated Press on Thursday, will decide then if Fanene continues with a preliminary hearing at the district court level or opts to have the case heard in the High Court of American Samoa.
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| Pelosi told Dems she'd like Trump 'in prison': report Posted: 06 Jun 2019 10:14 AM PDT  Donald Trump should be sent to "prison," US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a closed-door meeting about whether to launch impeachment proceedings against the president, Politico reported Thursday. Pelosi, Trump's political nemesis in Congress, has long stated she is not ready to proceed with what would be a deeply divisive impeachment action, and that she would prefer to see the president defeated at the ballot box next year. "I don't want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison," Pelosi said, according to Politico which cited multiple Democratic sources familiar with the meeting.
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| Alaska Airlines responds to video showing worker throwing luggage Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:35 PM PDT  In the video, you can see the Alaska Airlines worker throwing several luggage from the airplane to the ground.
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| The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Posted: 06 Jun 2019 01:13 PM PDT |
| Dominican Republic hotel says Delaware woman requested $2.2M before going public with attack Posted: 06 Jun 2019 07:53 AM PDT  The hotel where a Delaware woman claims she was beaten released a statement about the attack and ensuing investigation.
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| Father's Day 2019: Paganism, roses and how the campaign to celebrate dads was won Posted: 07 Jun 2019 03:56 AM PDT  Father's Day, the official calendar date to honour our wonderful dads and celebrate fatherhood, is fast approaching. Recognised each June, the day sees children around the world present their dads with cards and gifts as a thank you for all they do. But when did the first observance of Father's Day take place and who helped establish the annual celebration of paternal figures? From the history behind the celebration, to the more recent commercialisation, here is everything you need to know about Father's Day. When is Father's Day 2019? Father's Day is held every year on the third Sunday of June; this year Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 16 in the UK. Typically, fathers are showered with cards and presents on Father's Day, with some families celebrating together by going on days out. Younger children also tend to make handmade gifts for their fathers at school and extracurricular clubs, including drawings, paintings or cards. As society and family structures have changed, some people now celebrate their stepfathers on Father's Day. In recent years there have been calls for a Stepfather's Day, however no such day has been officially discussed or introduced. Father's Day falls on June 16 this year Credit: E+ The history of Father's Day The first events in recognition of fatherhood took place in the US and followed Anna Jarvis' first celebration of Mother's Day in 1908, as well as the earlier observations of Mothering Sunday in the UK. Grace Golden Clayton, from Fairmont, West Virginia, was the woman behind the first event to celebrate fathers in 1908. Just over a year prior to this event, the Monongah Mining Disaster took place in December 1907, with the explosion killing 361 men. Of these fatalities, 250 were fathers. In honour of the one thousand children who lost their fathers, Clayton encouraged her pastor, Rev. Robert Thomas Webb, to hold a service at the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South. Clayton missed her own father terribly, after he passed away in 1896, so she chose to honour the lives lost on July 5, 1908, the closest date to his birthday. While Clayton was responsible for the first recognition of fatherhood and the paternal bond, her work didn't directly encourage the creation of Father's Day. The memorial service was never promoted outside the town of Fairmont and the service was overshadowed by the significant Independence Day celebrations held a day beforehand. Yet the idea was also picked up on in the following year, when Sonora Smart Dodd started her quest to honour fathers in the same way as mothers. Dodd, born in Arkansas in 1882, was one of six children and at the age of seven, she moved to Washington with her family. When she was 16 years old, her mother, Ellen Victoria Cheek Smart, died after giving birth to her sixth child, leaving her father, William Jackson Smart, a farmer and Civil War veteran, as a single parent. After listening to a Mother's Day sermon at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909, Dodd felt that fathers deserved equal recognition. With the local YMCA and the Ministerial Association of Spokane, Dodd began a campaign to have the day officially recognised. The first such 'Father's Day' was held at the YMCA in Spokane on June 19, 1910, with a number of towns and cities across America later following suit. Support for Father's Day quickly increased throughout the US and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge pressured state governments to mark the celebration. President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honouring fathers in 1966, making the third Sunday in June Father's Day. Six years later President Richard Nixon signed it into law, establishing the day as a national holiday – though in the UK it does not enjoy this status. The move came after a campaign by a number of public figures, including Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who in 1957 wrote to Congress: "Either we honour both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honouring either one. "But to single out just one of our two parents and omit the other is the most grievous insult imaginable." Dodd's message later spread to other countries across the globe and it is thought that Britain began celebrating Father's Day after World War II. Today, the celebration of fathers has become an important commercial event for high street shops and online retailers, with promotions for the best gifts and cards appearing in the build up to the day each year. Father's Day around the world While in the UK fathers can expect, at best, breakfast in bed and handmade card and, at worst, the day to be completely ignored, elsewhere the festival is done a little differently. In Germany, Father's Day is called Vatertag with it also being referred to as Männertag, which means men's day. The celebration falls on the Thursday 40 days after Easter. In certain regions it is traditional for groups of men to go into the woods with a wagon of beer, wines and meats. Heavy drinking is common and, according to official statistics, traffic-related accidents spike on this day. In Australia, Father's Day falls on the first Sunday of September, which is their first Sunday of Spring, while in Croatia, they observe Roman Catholic tradition and celebrate fathers on March 19, Saint Joseph's Day. In China, Father's Day used to be celebrated on August 8 as the Chinese for eight is "ba", while a colloquial word for father is "ba-ba" – so the eighth day of the eighth month sounds similar to "daddy". The day has since been moved to the third Sunday of June, in line with the UK and US. In France, the day was introduced in 1949 for commercial reasons by lighter manufacturer Flaminaire. Inspired by the US' day of celebration, they created a new advert with the slogan 'Nos papas nous l'ont dit, pour la fête des pères, ils désirent tous un Flaminaire' ('Our fathers told us, for father's day, they all want a Flaminaire'). Three years later an official decree was made to recognise the day. Most countries celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in June including the UK, USA, Mexico, Ireland, France, Greece, China and Japan. However not all countries celebrate it then. In Brazil, Father's Day falls on the second Sunday of August and this day was chosen in honour of Saint Joachim, the patron saint of fathers. According to Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox traditions, Joachim was the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The ultimate films on fatherhood Father's Day tales and traditions Some pagans suggest that Father's Day is closely linked to the Pagan Sun worship, because the sun is thought to be the father of the universe and the celebration of dads falls closely to the summer solstice. Roses are the official flower of Father's Day, with people previously wearing them to church on this date. While this tradition is rarely seen today, sons and daughters used to wear either a red rose in admiration of a living father or a white rose in memory of a deceased father. Sonora Smart Dodd, the founder of Father's Day, selected this flower and it is said that during the early celebrations, she handed out roses to home-bound fathers, while on a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city. Father's Day gifts and presents From cutesy cards, socks and ties to luxurious watches and fantastic car experiences, Britons present their paternal figures with an array of unique gifts on Father's Day. But, demand for the perfect Father's Day present has led to the increasing commercialisation of the day, with retailers competing to offer the best gifts and consumers heading to their high street shops and online retailers. According to MuchNeeded, Father's Day is a popular shopping day in both the UK and US, with 75 per cent of men expected to celebrate the occasion this year. While Britons and Americans spend a significant amount on Father's Day each year, on average it only accounts for half the spending around Mother's Day. Is it Father's Day, Fathers' Day or Fathers Day? Ah, the age old question. The answer? Many say Father's Day is the correct version. Mother's Day (which has the apostrophe before the 's') set the precedent while Father's Day was still gaining popularity. Anna Jarvis trademarked the term 'Mother's Day' – with the apostrophe before the 's' – in 1912, saying the word should 'be a singular possessive, for each family to honour its own mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world'. President Woodrow Wilson used this spelling when he formalised Mother's Day in 1914; this means the correct version of the word is spelled with the apostrophe before the 's'. Father's Day has followed suit, with cards on both sides of the pond including the apostrophe in the same place.
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| American hunter in viral photo of dead giraffe says she's 'proud to hunt delicious' animal Posted: 07 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT  An American whose 2017 shooting of a giraffe and posing for a photograph with its body sparked international outcry, has said she was proud of hunting the animal, which she said was "delicious" to eat.Texan Tess Talley, 38, triggered anger last summer when she posted the images of her exploits during a hunting trip the year before in South Africa. "Prayers for my once in a lifetime dream hunt came true today," she wrote alongside the image. "Spotted this rare black giraffe bull and stalked him for quite awhile. I knew it was the one. He was over 18 years old, 4,000 lbs and was blessed to be able to get 2,000 lbs of meat from him."Ms Tallley has now further defended her actions, appearing on CBS to say hunters such as herself contribute to the long term preservation of animals by managing populations and funding wildlife conservation. She also said the elderly male giraffe, the skin of which she had made into cushion covers and a rifle case, was delicious to eat. "It's a hobby, it's something that I love to do. I am proud to hunt. And I am proud of that giraffe," she said, saying the shooting of the giraffe was part of a conversation hunt.When it was pointed out that she was clearly smiling in the images she posted with the animal, she said: "You do what you love to do. It's joy. If you don't love what you do, you're not gonna continue to do it."She said even though she enjoyed hunting, there was an element of remorse."Everybody thinks that the easiest part is pulling the trigger. And it's not," she said. "That's the hardest part. But you gain so much respect, and so much appreciation for that animal because you know what that animal is going through. They are put here for us. We harvest them, we eat them." In a statement, Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, said: "Trophy hunting of giraffe shows sheer and arrogant disregard for the imperilled status of an iconic species. "A 2015 estimate found that fewer than 100,000 giraffes remain in the wild in Africa, and our 2018 investigation revealed that nearly 4,000 giraffe-derived trophies were imported into the US over the last decade."She said giraffes were facing "a myriad of threats including poaching and habitat fragmentation".She added: "Their dire conservation status should not be further compounded by the horror of trophy hunters bent on killing them for senseless and gruesome trophies."
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| Boeing delayed fix of defective 737 MAX warning light for three years: U.S. lawmakers Posted: 07 Jun 2019 11:53 AM PDT  Boeing Co learned that a cockpit warning light on its 737 MAX jetliner was defective in 2017 but decided to defer fixing it until 2020, U.S. lawmakers said on Friday. The defective warning light alerts pilots when two sensors that measure the angle between the airflow and the wing disagree. Faulty "angle of attack" data is suspected of playing a role in two deadly crashes involving Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX in Indonesia in October and in Ethiopia in March.
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| Judges Toss West Point Rape Conviction: No One Heard Her Struggle Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:43 AM PDT  REUTERS/Mike SegarA cadet who was sentenced to 21 years in prison for raping a sleeping classmate has reportedly returned to the school after three military judges overturned his conviction.Jacob Whisenhunt was in the class of 2019 when he allegedly attacked a female cadet in her sleeping bag during Cadet Field Training at Camp Buckner on July 7, 2016. The Nebraska native was convicted in May 2017 by a jury of six West Point staff and faculty. A spokesman for the U.S. Military Academy confirmed Whisenhunt's return on Wednesday to the Associated Press. On Monday, a panel of three U.S. military judges ruled that the intercourse could not be considered rape beyond a reasonable doubt because there were so many squad mates in "close proximity" and the victim did not make any noise or audibly struggle hard enough, "which would have alerted multiple others" to the alleged rape. The judges' ruling was first reported on Wednesday by the Military Times."It is hard to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that [Whisenhunt] could complete the charged offenses without cooperation or detection," the panel wrote. "There is no evidence that appellant threatened [the victim] or took any steps, such as covering her mouth, to prevent an outcry."Cadet Run Out of West Point After Accusing Army's Star Quarterback of RapeThe judges also wrote that their belief was supported by the fact that Whisenhunt didn't try to hide his identity and then left his semen on the woman's sleeping bag. "There is no evidence that he tried to remove this evidence," the panel said. The judges said they did not believe Whisenhunt would have so brazenly attacked a female cadet without hiding his identity or removing the evidence."To be convinced of appellant's guilt, we would have to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the sexual acts could plausibly occur (and would not be discovered) without active cooperation from both parties," the judges wrote.During the trial, according to the Army Times, the woman said she froze when she awoke to find Whisenhunt penetrating her with his finger and then with his penis—and that she "remained frozen in the fetal position during the entire assault."Whisenhunt, meanwhile, reportedly testified that the sex was the result of "escalating and consensual touchings."At the time of Whisenhunt's conviction, West Point spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker said the 21-year sentence "reflects the seriousness of the crimes of sexual assault and rape."Retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, who serves as the president of advocacy group Protect Our Defenders, which aims to give a voice to survivors of sexual assault, noted that the judges' ruling sets a legal precedent within the Army and called the written opinion "victim-blaming." Christensen said he believes the case will negatively affect the rate of survivors coming forward."There are so few convictions in the first place in the military," he added. "Last year there were 108 convictions for sexual assault or rape in the military out of over 6,000 reports. So it's really disheartening to see a conviction overturned on the whim of judges who weren't even there for the trial.""These judges are out of touch and see themselves as the last bastion against political correctness, versus looking at the legal issues," he continued. "It's becoming more common for the service courts to overturn these cases on factual sufficiencies." "Most civilian courts do not have this authority, and that's for a reason," Christensen added.Incidents of sexual assault and unwanted sexual contact at American military academies have increased by 47 percent since 2016, the Pentagon announced in January.Most of those allegations came from West Point, which saw an increase in sexual-assault reports for the fourth year in a row, according to the report. There were 50 cases reported in the 2017-2018 school year, compared with 26 complaints made during the 2015-2016 school year.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| Trump says relations with Macron 'outstanding' Posted: 06 Jun 2019 08:25 AM PDT  The smiles and warm handshakes were back between Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as they met in northern France, a sharp turnaround from a bad-tempered meeting last November. The two leaders took centre stage on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II when 150,000 Allied troops began the liberation of Nazi-occupied France. There were repeated handshakes, while Trump greeted Macron's wife Brigitte with kisses on three separate occasions during the main commemoration event at a US cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer where more than 9,000 US servicemen are buried.
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| UPDATE 1-Ford expected to announce closure of Welsh engine factory- source Posted: 06 Jun 2019 12:55 AM PDT ![UPDATE 1-Ford expected to announce closure of Welsh engine factory- source]( "UPDATE 1-Ford expected to announce closure of Welsh engine factory- source") Ford is expected to announce on Thursday that it is closing its engine facility in Wales, a source told Reuters, putting at risk 1,700 jobs in what would be the latest blow to Britain's car industry. Ford is making cuts in several markets to turn around loss-making operations but has also repeatedly warned the British government that it needs free trade to be maintained with the European Union after Brexit, the terms of which remain unclear. Its Bridgend plant built around 20 percent of Britain's 2.7 million automotive engines last year but a contract to supply Jaguar Land Rover ends in 2020 leaving a run of its own Dragon petrol engines which are sent abroad to be fitted into vehicles.
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| Toronto airport is North America's 'global gateway' to the world: OAG Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:27 AM PDT  Toronto Pearson International Airport has nabbed the title of most international airport in North America, with service to 163 global destinations in the last 12 months.
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| Earthquake, flood, hurricane: Google Maps adds tools to help you navigate a crisis Posted: 06 Jun 2019 10:18 AM PDT  Google is adding tools inside Google Map and search to help you deal with hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.
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| Dominican Republic hotel says Del. woman wanted $2.2 million before going public with brutal attack story Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:47 AM PDT  A Dominican Republic hotel has fought back against a woman's accusations thatit did not promptly take care of her in the aftermath of an alleged attack byclaiming that she requested $2
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| Google flags U.S. national security risks from Huawei ban: FT Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:40 PM PDT  Google's move comes as the world's two top economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle over what U.S. officials call China's unfair trade practices. While the sanctions are expected to hurt Huawei in the short term, industry experts say it could force the company - and other Chinese firms - to become self-reliant by developing more home-grown technologies, hurting the dominance of American companies such as Google in the longer term. Google in particular is concerned it would not be allowed to update its Android operating system on Huawei smartphones, which it argues would prompt the Chinese company to develop its own version of the software, FT reported, citing people briefed on Google's lobbying efforts.
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| The Latest: US will recognize expired Venezuelan passports Posted: 07 Jun 2019 02:01 PM PDT  The Trump administration says it will recognize the validity of Venezuelan passports for five years beyond their printed expiration dates. The State Department announced Friday that the passports will be considered valid for visa applications and entry into the United States in recognition of a decision by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó recently signed a decree extending the lifespan of Venezuelan passports.
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| Parkland school ex-deputy released from jail Posted: 06 Jun 2019 04:22 PM PDT  A former Florida deputy charged with 11 criminal counts for failing to confront the gunman in the Parkland school massacre has been released from jail after a judge reduced his bail and lifted other restrictions. (June 6)
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| Robert Mueller could be subpoenaed in the next two weeks Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:10 AM PDT ![Robert Mueller could be subpoenaed in the next two weeks]( "Robert Mueller could be subpoenaed in the next two weeks") Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said publicly that he is "confident" Mueller will appear before his panel.
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| Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski: ‘I Cannot Believe the Equality Act Is Even a Thing That Needs Debating In 2019’ Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:22 AM PDT  Photo Illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily Beast/Photos GettyIn this special series, LGBT celebrities and public figures talk to Tim Teeman about the Stonewall Riots and their legacy—see more here.Antoni Porowski is a TV personality, actor, chef and model, star of Queer Eye.When/how did you first hear about the Stonewall Riots, and what did you make of them?I learned about the Stonewall Riots during my first Pride in New York. I had already been living here for a few years and my friend Klaus was surprised to learn that I had never attended. He took me to the Stonewall Inn and explained its significance. I quickly felt embarrassed for my perception of Pride and its meaning which, prior to this moment of education, consisted of the idea that Pride was simply a loud party, with no basis in a historical event. I'm so grateful that he invited me that day.Want To Feel Gay Pride? Go HereWhat is the riots' significance for you?The riots, along with the civil rights movement, helped shape the course for LGBTQIA visibility and a demand for equal rights. Fifty years later, we are still fighting, as shown with the Equality Act, to protect federal rights for all. The ability to feel equal to our cisgendered and/or heterosexual fellows affects the way we feel not only about ourselves but also how we navigate society and our feeling like we are truly a part of it. Life is challenging enough as it is. Equal rights and freedom of expression, in all its forms, should be a given. Especially during difficult times, we must remember Stonewall and respect what was done to pave the way to where we are today.How far have we LGBT people come since 1969?I'm conflicted with this question. In some ways I feel we've made tremendous progress, and in others I cannot believe the Equality Act is even a thing that needs debating in 2019. I'm also aware that the LGBTQIA experience in New York is not representative of the rest of the country or world, which is not to say that we are a utopia for our queer fellows. I will say that I do feel visibility is on the incline, which brings me hope. As a kid I had such limited LGBTQIA role models or people to look up to. As I grow older, that number has increased very much.What would you like to see, LGBT-wise, in the next 50 years?I haven't quoted this book in a while, but I want us to treat fluidity, being gay, all of it, the way the characters do in Hanya Yanagihara's book A Little Life. I want it to be normalized and not bring debate of whether it's a choice or not. I want gender and sexual orientation to be embraced without judgment.Read more at The Daily Beast.Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast hereGet our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
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| 'Tachtouch' returns to Lebanon after monkeying around in Israel Posted: 07 Jun 2019 07:56 AM PDT  A Lebanese monkey who breached the border with Israel was returned to its owner Friday by United Nations peacekeepers after cavorting for more than a week in enemy territory. Tachtouch escaped late last month, prompting its owner Beatrice Mauger who runs a peace project in southern Lebanon to launch an appeal on Facebook. "We have captured the Lebanese monkey in good health," the Yodfat Monkey Forest in northern Israel said on Facebook late Thursday.
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| Ford unveils first pure EV to launch in China Posted: 07 Jun 2019 03:57 AM PDT  Ford China has revealed the Territory EV, a compact SUV which is also the first pure electric model to launch in the country. Ford announced on Thursday that its Chinese branch collaborated with Jiangling Motors to jointly develop the brand's very first pure electric model for China: The Ford Territory EV. This compact SUV has been designed for young, urban families and has a range of 360 km (about 224 miles).
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| The Bose soundbar everyone goes nuts over is cheaper right now than it was on Black Friday Posted: 06 Jun 2019 06:03 AM PDT ![The Bose soundbar everyone goes nuts over is cheaper right now than it was on Black Friday]( "The Bose soundbar everyone goes nuts over is cheaper right now than it was on Black Friday") Bose's products are typically quite expensive, though they're worth every penny if you want sound quality that'll knock your socks off. Of course, that's why people get so excited when Bose's most popular speakers and headphones go on sale at a discount. It doesn't get much more popular than the Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System, which flew off the virtual store shelves by the thousands on Black Friday when it dropped from $250 to $199. Well guess what: it's even cheaper right now than it was on Black Friday. This terrific compact sound bar is down to just $179.99 right now on Amazon, which is an all-time low. We doubt this deal will last much longer, so hurry and grab one before it's too late!Here are the highlights from the product page: * Single sound bar provides better sound quality compared to your TV.The Solo 5 TV sound system is an easy solution, with advanced technologies that deliver the clear audio your TV can't. * Dialogue mode to make every word and detail stand out * Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly stream music from any of your devices * One connection to your TV. Optical audio input (digital); Coaxial audio input (digital); 3.5 mm aux input (analog) * Universal remote controls TV, bass, Bluetooth connections and more * Speaker:2.6 H x 21.6 W x 3.4 D (3.73 lbs), Remote control:4.1 H x 1.6 W x 0.4 D (5 oz)
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| Texas Governor Signs Bill Allowing More Armed Teachers Posted: 06 Jun 2019 03:55 PM PDT  Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law Thursday allowing more teachers to carry firearms and expands mental health services for students in the wake of the mass shooting last year at a high school near Houston.The bill removed the previous on the number of armed teachers allowed on school campuses of one per every 200 students or one per school. The measure also encourages schools to train teachers to recognize mental health issues among students, increase the number of mental health counselors at schools, and install "threat assessment teams" to track potential threats from students.Ten people were fatally shot and 13 more wounded at at Santa Fe High School near Houston in May of last year, the sixth most deadly school shooting in U.S. history.Abbott, a Republican, has made school safety a priority since then, but the legislature has focused on campus security and mental health rather than gun control, passing measures approving metal detectors, and shooter alarm systems among other means to secure schools.Teachers who wish to participate in Texas's school armed marshal program, which was implemented after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 must undergo active shooter drills as well as 80 hours of training. School marshals must keep their weapons locked up and away from students unless their main job does not involve "regular, direct contact with students," in which case they are allowed to carry a concealed firearm.Florida passed a controversial measure last month allowing classroom teachers to carry firearms in school, although many districts opted out, including Broward County, where the mass shooting that killed 17 at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School occurred last year.
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| New York police commissioner apologizes for Stonewall raid in 1969 Posted: 06 Jun 2019 11:29 AM PDT  The New York Police Department on Thursday apologized for the first time for the raid on the Stonewall Inn gay bar 50 years ago and anti-gay laws of the time that gave rise to the modern LGBT rights movement, describing them as discriminatory and oppressive. Gay rights advocates welcomed the apology, which they had sought from the NYPD for years.
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| 10 Things to Know for Today Posted: 06 Jun 2019 03:35 AM PDT  Thousands of people and a handful of surviving U.S. D-Day veterans are gathered at the Normandy American Cemetery in France to honor thousands fallen in the pivotal invasion 75 years ago. French President Macron says, "France doesn't forget" your sacrifice. The political clock is ticking toward the 2020 election and that could limit how long House Speaker Nancy Pelosi can say yes or no on that question.
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| Trump insults Mueller and Pelosi at U.S. military cemetery in France Posted: 06 Jun 2019 08:54 AM PDT  In an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham moments before he spoke at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Trump blasted Robert Mueller and Nancy Pelosi, calling the former special counsel a "fool" and House speaker a "disaster."
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| UK's May quits as party leader, starting succession race Posted: 07 Jun 2019 08:53 AM PDT  Prime Minister Theresa May stepped down as leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party on Friday, formally triggering the race for a successor who will try where she failed to deliver Brexit. May, who quietly tendered her resignation in a private letter to the party, will remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen, likely in late July, but leaves Britain's tortuous departure from the European Union stalled. Brexit is still scheduled for October 31 but while 11 contenders thrash it out over the leadership, the project remains stuck, with the only divorce plan agreed with Brussels having been repeatedly rejected by parliament.
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| China Issues 5G Licenses as Race to Build Networks Heats Up Posted: 05 Jun 2019 08:36 PM PDT  The country's three state-owned wireless carriers and China Broadcasting Network Corp. were granted licences for full commercial deployment, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The operators, China Mobile Ltd., China Telecom Corp. and China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., have been testing the technology in several cities including Beijing and Shenzhen. Full deployment of 5G networks in a country with almost 1.6 billion wireless phone subscriptions is expected to boost local companies designing gear for applications in autonomous driving, robotics, remote surveillance and virtual reality.
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| The 10 most exciting hidden iPhone features in iOS 13 Posted: 06 Jun 2019 05:17 AM PDT  Apple spent plenty of time on stage during its WWDC 2019 keynote presentation earlier this week discussing all of the biggest new features it added to iOS 13. This is the software that will power the majority of Apple devices out there for the year to come, so it obviously makes sense that the company wanted to spend so much time focusing on it. Of course, Apple executives could have spent the whole day on stage rattling off new iOS 13 features considering how many changes are baked into Apple's new mobile software. It's a good thing, too, considering last year's iOS 12 update was focused entirely on fixing the mess that iOS 11 made, so there weren't any novel new features to speak of. iOS 13 had to be packed to the gills with changes, but that means there are so many new features, users will have a hard time finding them all.We already dove into the 15 best new features in iOS 13. We also covered nearly 70 new iOS 13 features that Apple didn't reveal during its big keynote presentation on Monday. Now, it's time to take a look at 10 hidden iPhone features Apple added in iOS 13. They may be hidden, but they're awesome so you're definitely going to want to bookmark this page and refer back to it once iOS 13 is released to the public this coming September. Or, if you're brave enough to install the iOS 13 beta, then you can check out all these cool new features right now.Silence Unknown Callers -- For us, this is by far the best hidden feature there is in Apple's new iOS 13 software. In fact, it might end up being the best new feature, period. Better than Dark Mode, better than the speed improvements, and better than everything else! Open the Settings app and head to the Phone section. Scroll a bit and you'll find the new "Silence Unknown Callers" option waiting to be toggled. This will send all calls from callers who aren't in your contact list straight to voicemail without even ringing. So long, spam calls!Optimized Battery Charging -- Battery health has always been an important issue, but Apple's big "Batterygate" ordeal shined an even brighter spotlight on it. In iOS 13, there's a nifty new feature called "Optimized Battery Charging" in the Battery section of the Settings app. When enabled, your iPhone will learn your charging habits and will wait to fully charge your battery until just before you need your phone. So for example, if you take your iPhone off the charger every morning at 7:00 AM, it'll hold the charge at 80% until around 6:00 AM before finishing and charging it up to $100%.Wi-Fi in Control Center -- How annoying is it to have to dig into the Settings app anytime you arrive somewhere new and have to connect to Wi-Fi? Well, iOS 13 remedies that. Simply open the Control Center and long-press the wireless networks widget. Then long-press the Wi-Fi button to open a list of available networks and connect.Bluetooth in Control Center -- Managing Bluetooth connections is just as annoying as managing Wi-Fi connections in iOS 12, but it gets the same solution as Wi-Fi in iOS 13. Long-press the wireless networks widget in the Control Center again, but this time long-press the Bluetooth button to manage your Bluetooth connections.Low Data Mode -- Wireless carriers in the US are doing everything they can to push subscribers onto pricey unlimited data plans, which is quite ironic considering they pushed us all off of affordable unlimited data plans and onto pricey capped data plans just a few years ago. If you're still on a capped plan, or if you're traveling and you want to cut back on your data usage, the new Low Data Mode in the Cellular section of the Settings app will cut back on the amount of data used by apps.Better Search in Messages -- If you've ever tried to search for something in the Messages app on your iPhone or even on a Mac, you know how awful it is. In fact, it's pretty shocking how bad search is right now in Messages. Thankfully, it's been completely overhauled in iOS 13. Swipe down to search and you'll find a completely new interface and even some suggested contacts and recent searches. When you perform a search and see the most recent results, you'll also find a new "See All" option to show more.New Emoji Button -- This change won't be so "hidden" once you start using iOS 13, but right now almost no one else knows about it. The emoji button and the globe button for switching keyboard currently occupy the same space in iOS 12, which is a pain in the butt. In iOS 13, there's a dedicated emoji button to the left of the space bar.Safari Tab Management -- Do you leave Safari tabs open by the dozens? Don't worry, you're not alone. Of course, there's no reason to leave so many tabs open since Safari has great history and search features, so now there's an option in the Safari section of the Settings app to automatically close tabs after one day, one week, or one month.Safari Screenshots -- This one is awesome, and so many people are going to be excited about it. When you take a screenshot now in Safari, you'll see two large tabs at the top of the page. One says "Screen" and it works the same way screenshots work now. The other says "Full Page" and as you might have guessed, it lets you capture a screenshot of the entire website with one tap.New Location Settings -- Privacy is a big deal for Apple since it gives the company plenty of opportunities to fire shots at Google's Android platform. Regardless of the motivation, however, iPhone users win in the end. One of the best new privacy features in iOS 13 is a new option you'll find in the Settings app under Privacy > Location Services. Tap on an individual app to adjust its permissions, and you'll find a new "Ask Next Time" option. This will give the app permission to access your location once, and then it will have to re-request permission again if it attempts to access your location data in the future.
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| D-Day 75: Nations honor veterans, memory of fallen troops Posted: 06 Jun 2019 03:26 AM PDT  Leaders, veterans, their families and the grateful from France, Europe and elsewhere were present for the solemn day that began under a radiant sun.
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| Where to get free donuts for National Doughnut Day: Krispy Kreme, Walmart, Dunkin' & more Posted: 07 Jun 2019 09:47 AM PDT ![Where to get free donuts for National Doughnut Day: Krispy Kreme, Walmart, Dunkin' & more]( "Where to get free donuts for National Doughnut Day: Krispy Kreme, Walmart, Dunkin' & more") Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Walmart and others are giving away free doughnuts Friday for National Doughnut Day. Find out where else to grab a freebie.
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| Volvo's 591-HP Polestar 1 Hybrid Is Happening for Real, and Here's the Proof Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:05 AM PDT |
| Trump admits his Cabinet had 'some clinkers' Posted: 06 Jun 2019 02:00 AM PDT  Adapted from "The Best People: Trump's Cabinet and the Siege on Washington" by Alexander Nazaryan. I think he's doing a good job. "That's an interesting name," he said sharply. That's been going on from George Washington until the present, let's face it. That's what happens."
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| Salvadoran migrants killed in Texas vehicle crash Posted: 06 Jun 2019 04:31 AM PDT  Authorities in south Texas say six migrants from El Salvador have been killed and five critically injured when an SUV that earlier fled police crashed into a drainage ditch. (June 5)
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| Mystery Surrounds Stolen 1991 Ford Mustang GT Barn Find Posted: 06 Jun 2019 12:56 PM PDT  A white 1991 Ford Mustang GT was literally found in a barn in rural western Missouri by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The car was stolen in Overland Park back in 1993, its whereabouts unknown until now. On the police report, which was taken over 30 years ago by the Overland Park Police Department, the Mustang GT's owner is simply listed as "John R." with no indication of a last name.
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| UPDATE 1-Lynas touts its independence from China in push for rare earths growth Posted: 06 Jun 2019 09:12 AM PDT ![UPDATE 1-Lynas touts its independence from China in push for rare earths growth]( "UPDATE 1-Lynas touts its independence from China in push for rare earths growth") With China threatening to curb exports of rare earth minerals, Lynas Corp is making an aggressive push for fresh business across the globe and billing itself as the best option for its customers to tap diversified supplies of the specialized materials. While Australia-based Lynas cannot match China's rare earths processing capability, it is hoping that its role as the only rare earths miner and processor outside of China will help it forge new relationships and fuel expansion projects. China last month warned it may curb exports to the United States of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used in a plethora of military equipment and high-tech consumer electronics.
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