| An icon of Christmas cheer went dark, some parks close Posted: 25 Dec 2018 01:42 AM PST  WASHINGTON (AP) — The lights were not twinkling. The toy trains were not whirring. Even the nearby bathrooms were locked.
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| Winter storm in the West could hamper post-Christmas travel Posted: 24 Dec 2018 06:13 PM PST  The low pressure system is bringing snow and rain to the West but then continues across the nation throughout the week
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| US Treasury chief to confer with top market regulators Posted: 24 Dec 2018 03:40 AM PST  US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is to hold a telephone conference on Monday with top market regulators, after the Dow and the Nasdaq suffered their worst week since 2008. The call with the President's Working Group on financial markets, announced in a Treasury Department statement, comes after Mnuchin on Sunday phoned top executives of the nation's six largest banks. "The CEOs confirmed that they have ample liquidity available for lending to consumer, business markets, and all other market operations," the Treasury said in the unusual statement posted on Mnuchin's Twitter account.
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| Death toll from attack in Afghan capital climbs to 40 Posted: 25 Dec 2018 04:55 AM PST  KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The death toll from an attack in the Afghan capital has climbed to 40, the Health Ministry said Tuesday, as police and rescue workers combed through the smoldering public welfare building where the gunmen held out for eight hours against security forces.
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| U.S. Wrangling to Destroy Christmas Calm Across Emerging Markets Posted: 23 Dec 2018 07:03 PM PST  (Bloomberg) -- If emerging markets had their way, this Christmas week would be like any other: quiet, with just a handful of economic releases and low trading volumes. But political dramas playing out in the U.S. are keeping investors on tenterhooks.
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| The best-selling Instant Pot cooker is discounted today in all three sizes Posted: 25 Dec 2018 06:12 AM PST ![The best-selling Instant Pot cooker is discounted today in all three sizes]( "The best-selling Instant Pot cooker is discounted today in all three sizes") If you didn't get the Instant Pot you had been hoping for as a Christmas gift this year, it's time to give yourself the gift you've been waiting for. The Instant Pot Duo is the company's best-selling model ever, and it just so happens that it's on sale today on Amazon in all three sizes. That means you can pick up a 3-quart Instant Pot Duo Mini for just $67.99, the medium-sized Instant Pot Duo 60 is on sale for $76.49, and the large 8-quart Instant Pot Duo 80 is $50 off at just $89.99. That's $10 less than what the 6-quart model typically sells for, so you know it's a great deal. This is a limited-time sale though, so grab one while you still can. Here's more info from the product page: * Duo, the number 1 selling multi-cooker, combines 7 kitchen appliances in 1, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Saute, Yogurt Marker and Warmer, prepares dishes up to 70% faster to support your busy lifestyle * Features 14 Smart Programs - Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Saute/Simmer, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Manual, and Pressure Cook. Now, your favorite dishes are as easy as pressing a button * Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating, 3-ply bottom for even heat distribution, fully sealed environment traps the flavours, nutrients and aromas within the food * Built with the latest 3rd generation technology, the microprocessor monitors pressure, temperature, keeps time, and adjusts heating intensity and duration to achieve your desired results every time.Product Dimensions: 14.17 x 14.84 x 13.31 inches * UL and ULC certified with 10 safety mechanisms to provide you with added assurance, designed to eliminate many common errors.Accessories include, stainless steel steam rack with handles, rice paddle, soup spoon, measuring cup, condensation collector and recipe booklet * Power supply: 120V - 60Hz
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| Syrian army reinforced close to front with Turkish-backed forces Posted: 25 Dec 2018 10:42 AM PST ![Syrian army reinforced close to front with Turkish-backed forces]( "Syrian army reinforced close to front with Turkish-backed forces") Syrian government troops backed by Russian forces have sent extra troops toward the city of Manbij in coordination with the militia that controls it, a militia spokesman said, as Turkish-backed Syrian rebels said they were preparing to attack it. The deployment was coordinated with the U.S.-backed militia in Manbij, the spokesman for the Manbij Military Council said. "The battle will soon start," Major Youssef Hamoud, spokesman for the National Army, the main Turkish-backed rebel force in the area, told Reuters.
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| Drone detectors now deployable across UK: minister Posted: 24 Dec 2018 10:58 AM PST  British Security Minister Ben Wallace said Monday the government can now deploy drone detection systems nationwide, after days of device sightings caused chaos at Gatwick Airport and criticism of the government response. "We are able to now deploy detection systems throughout the UK to combat this threat," Wallace said in a statement.
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| Donald Trump, Walled Off From Reality Posted: 24 Dec 2018 07:28 AM PST  What will it take for Republicans in Congress to conclude that President
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| Christmas movies, NBA games, Mega Millions: 5 things to know Tuesday Posted: 24 Dec 2018 09:26 PM PST  There are a few stores and restaurants open on Christmas Day, but if you're staying in, here are the NBA games and holiday movies to check out.
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| Indonesia tsunami: Death toll rises to 373 amid fears Krakatoa could trigger another wave any time Posted: 24 Dec 2018 03:41 PM PST  Rescuers searched for more survivors and victims on debris-strewn beaches on Monday as Indonesia reeled from the second deadly tsunami to hit it this year. The waves that swept terrified people into the sea on Saturday night along the Sunda Strait followed an eruption and possible landslide on Anak Krakatau, whose name means "Child of Krakatoa and is one of the world's most infamous volcanic islands. Scientists said on Monday that a large chunk of the southern flank of the volcanic island may have slipped into the ocean just minutes before the tsunami hit. Such a scenario could strike anytime without any warning. The death toll has risen to 373, with more than 1,000 people injured along the coastlines of western Java and southern Sumatra islands, the national disaster agency said on Monday. "The number of victims and damage will continue to rise," said agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. Aid agencies were quick to deploy to the area, located just a few hours drive from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The roads were challenging but passable, Aulia Arriani, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Red Cross told the Telegraph. Indonesia tsunami after eruption - in pictures "Our challenge is to find the missing and to evacuate the people who are still trapped. In the first phase of emergency response we will be evacuating people for the next two to three days," she said. Ms Arriani added that local hospitals and clinics had been flooded with casualties and dead bodies. "People in the disaster are need food, drinking water, tarpaulins and medical help," she said. The Indonesian Medical Association says it is sending more doctors and medical equipment and that many of the injured are in need of orthopedic and neurosurgery expertise. It says most patients are domestic tourists who were visiting the beach during the long holiday weekend. Indonesian earthquake and tsunami The tsunami that struck the island of Sulawesi on September 28 was accompanied by a powerful earthquake that gave residents a brief warning before the waves struck. On Saturday night, the ground did not shake beforehand to alert people to the oncoming wave that ripped buildings from their foundations in seconds and swept terrified concertgoers on a resort beach into the sea. Dramatic video posted on social media showed the Indonesian pop band Seventeen performing under a tent on Tanjung Lesung beach at a concert for employees of a state-owned electricity company. At least four band members and support crew were killed, lead singer Riefian "Ifan" Fajarsyah told followers in a tearful Instagram account. The band's drummer was among the missing, as was his wife, Dylan Sahara, whose 26th birthday it was on Sunday. An Indonesia policeman searches for victims amongst the debris at the Mutiara Carita Cottages in Carita in Banten province The worst-affected area was the Pandeglang region of Java's Banten province, which encompasses Ujung Kulon National Park and popular beaches, the agency said. Joko Widodo, the Indonesian president, who is scheduled to visit the stricken area on Monday, expressed his sympathy and ordered government agencies to respond quickly to the disaster. "My deep condolences to the victims in Banten and Lumpung provinces," he said. "Hopefully, those who are left have patience." In the city of Bandar Lampung on Sumatra, hundreds of residents took refuge at the governor's office, while at the popular resort area of Anyer beach on Java, some survivors wandered in the debris. A man walks through debris after hit by tsunami as they carry their belongings Many of those affected were domestic tourists enjoying the long holiday weekend, but foreigners were visiting the area ahead of Christmas as well. Some roads remained blocked by debris and traffic, with families streaming out of the area for fear of further tsunamis. Why a landslide was the likely trigger Scientists said on Monday that the consensus, based on satellite images and the information available, was that the collapse of a portion of the volcano triggered the killer waves. This aerial picture taken on December 23, 2018 by Bisnis Indonesia shows the Anak (Child) Krakatoa volcano erupting in the Sunda Straits off the coast of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java Images captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite showed that a large portion on the southern flank of the volcano slid off into the ocean. "Underwater landside is the leading theory," said Sam Taylor-Offord, a seismologist at GNS Science in Wellington. "So when that land pushes into the ocean ... it displaces the ocean surface causing the vertical displacement that causes the tsunami," he said, adding however that the lack of data and access made it impossible to ascertain this theory. Wow. This is the volcano "Child of Krakatoa" believed to have caused the Indonesian Tsunami. Video courtesy of Susi Air #tsunamipic.twitter.com/v99DT1KJ4N— David Lipson (@davidlipson) December 23, 2018 Anak Krakatau, halfway between Java and Sumatra, has been spewing ash and lava for months. It erupted about 24 minutes before the tsunami struck, and that could have triggered the landslide. Taylor-Offord said the eruption and "high noise environment" may be why the landslide was not recorded seismically. The fact the tsunami was triggered by a volcano, and not by an earthquake, may be the reason why no tsunami warning was signalled, scientists said. Coastal residents reported not seeing or feeling any warning signs, such as an earthquake or receding water along the shore, before waves up to 10 feet high surged in. Jose Borrero, coastal engineering expert specialising in tsunami hazards at eCoast Marine Consulting, said landslide-generated volcanic tsunami behave idiosyncratically, compared with tsunami generated by earthquakes, which are better studied. This is because there are so many different variables and there is a "sweet spot" of exactly the right speed and volume of rocks slipping into and sea and deeper to generate a wave. "In Indonesia, we've all been waiting for another big earthquake tsunami and then boom, here we have a volcanic landslide one," Mr Borrero said. Krakatoa eruption - map "I've seen a few bits of imagery that suggest there's some sort of slant collapse that may extend underwater but none of this will be confirmed until there can be an offshore survey where they go and map the sea floor." Anak Krakatau or "child of Krakatau" emerged from the Krakatau volcano, which in 1888 erupted with such force the blast was heard all the way in Perth, said Mika McKinnon, a geophysicist based in Vancouver, Canada. Further eruptions have continued from the massive crater left behind. Mr McKinnon said volcanoes were weak, sloppy heaps of loosely bound rocks all slanted downhill and they slip off all the time. There are no early warnings systems that can detect such landslide-driven tsunami and Anak Krakatau is so close to shore there would never have been enough time to react and clear out the population. "It's hard to identify landslide-triggered tsunami, especially quickly enough to issue useful warnings," said Mr McKinnon. "A similar event at Anak Krakatau might trigger another one, or it might not. Maybe a month later, or year from now. We will never know," she said.
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| North Korea ordered to pay parents, estate of student $500M Posted: 24 Dec 2018 09:05 PM PST  WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge ordered North Korea to pay more than $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country.
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| Under duress, Israel's Netanyahu still election front-runner Posted: 25 Dec 2018 04:58 AM PST  JERUSALEM (AP) — A day after snap elections were called in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged as the overwhelming early front-runner Tuesday, with rivals and commentators alike pinning their primary hopes of unseating him on a potential corruption indictment.
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| Poker player turns $5 bet into $1 million at Borgata in Atlantic City Posted: 24 Dec 2018 07:37 PM PST  A man playing poker at an Atlantic City casino won $1 million on a $5 bet.
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| Detained China lawyer to stand trial on Boxing Day Posted: 24 Dec 2018 02:16 AM PST  A Chinese human rights lawyer charged with state subversion over two years ago will make a court appearance the day after Christmas, his wife said Monday. Li Wenzu, who last week shaved her head in protest of her husband's indefinite detention, posted on Twitter that Wang Quanzhang would be going to trial in two days in the northern city of Tianjin. "On December 24, 2018, Christmas Eve, I found out: the trial starts the day after Christmas," Li wrote.
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| Syria state media says Israeli planes attack targets near Damascus Posted: 25 Dec 2018 02:41 PM PST  Israeli war planes attacked with missiles unspecified targets near Damascus, the Syrian capital, on Tuesday and injured three Syrian soldiers, Syrian state media quoted a military source as saying. "Our air defenses confronted hostile missiles launched by Israeli war planes from above the Lebanese territories and downed most of them before reaching their targets," the military source said. The nature of the Israeli missiles targets was unclear.
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| Donald Trump makes Christmas calls to troops, denies collusion and defends shutdown stand Posted: 25 Dec 2018 09:29 AM PST  While wishing a Merry Christmas to troops overseas, President Donald Trump ventured into politics Tuesday.
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| Why the Ferrari F50 is the most underrated supercar Posted: 25 Dec 2018 03:00 AM PST  The Ferrari F50 often lives in the shadow of the F40 and Enzo, but this lightweight supercar deserves its own place in history
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| London airport open, but location of drone culprit up in air Posted: 23 Dec 2018 06:56 PM PST  LONDON (AP) — London's Gatwick Airport operated without problems Sunday, but the fugitive drone operators who brought incoming and outgoing flights to a standstill over multiple days remained at large — and a potential threat — after police cleared two local residents who were arrested as suspects.
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| Documents detail how absentee ballots gathered in NC vote Posted: 23 Dec 2018 07:17 PM PST  Affidavits released Sunday by North Carolina's elections board allege absentee ballots were collected from voters by the man at the center of vote fraud allegations or those working for him.
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| Delta flight makes emergency landing on Alaskan island due to 'a potential engine issue' Posted: 25 Dec 2018 02:45 PM PST ![Delta flight makes emergency landing on Alaskan island due to 'a potential engine issue']( "Delta flight makes emergency landing on Alaskan island due to 'a potential engine issue'") Delta Air Lines passengers faced a Christmas Eve scare when a Seattle-bound flight made an emergency landing on a small Alaskan Island.
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| Mexico state governor Martha Erika Alonso and senator husband killed in air crash Posted: 24 Dec 2018 04:00 PM PST  The governor of the Mexican state of Puebla and her husband, a senator and former state governor, have died in what local media reported was a helicopter crash, the country's president has said. Martha Erika Alonso and Rafael Moreno Valle died when the aircraft came down not far from the state capital, also called Puebla, on Monday. Ms Alonso, from the centre-right National Action Party (PAN), took office less than two weeks ago after a hotly contested and at times violent election.
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| Nissan executive linked to Ghosn case released on bail Posted: 25 Dec 2018 07:07 AM PST  Japanese authorities Tuesday released on bail a Nissan executive accused of a key role in the financial misconduct case involving auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn, who remains in detention. Greg Kelly, wearing a casual zip-up jacket and looking tired, walked out of the Tokyo Detention Centre more than a month after his arrest and got into a waiting taxi without speaking to the media.
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| Trump says Erdogan will 'eradicate' Isil in Syria and praises the Turkish leader as 'a man who can do it' Posted: 24 Dec 2018 02:19 AM PST  Donald Trump has said Turkey will finish off the Islamic State in Syria as he praised the country's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan as "a man who can do it". The US president has doubled down on his decision to withdraw US troops from the region following the departure of his Defence Secretary James Mattis over the move. In a stinging resignation letter Mr Mattis warned that America must "show respect" to its allies. Mr Trump has defended his position, tweeting: "President Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right 'next door.' Our troops are coming home!" The US military confirmed that the order to withdraw American soldiers from Syria had been signed after Mr Trump held talks with his Turkish counterpart to negotiate the terms of the pullout. The US currently has around 2,000 troops in the civil war-racked country, where they have been deployed to assist in a multinational fight against the Islamic State (Isil) jihadist group. President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right "next door." Our troops are coming home!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018 Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Mr Trump's decision on Syria, a country where it will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters who were armed and trained by the US and played a major role in the war against Isil but are deemed terrorists by Ankara. Mr Trump and Mr Erdogan spoke by telephone on Sunday and "agreed to ensure coordination between their countries' military, diplomatic and other officials to avoid a power vacuum which could result following any abuse of the withdrawal and transition phase in Syria," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Mr Trump tweeted that he and Mr Erdogan "discussed (Isil), our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of US troops from the area." Some fear Turkey will now have freer rein to target Kurdish fighters who were armed and trained by the US Credit: Anadolu Agency Mr Trump's advisers have reportedly persuaded the president to withdraw the troops more slowly than he would like in order not to jeopardise their safety. A withdrawal could have extraordinary geopolitical implications, and it runs counter to long-established US policy for the region. Thousands of Isil fighters are thought to remain in Syria, but Mr Trump on Wednesday declared that "we've won against ISIS," using another acronym for the extremists. Late on Sunday he tweeted that President Erdogan had assured him that any remaining Isil fighters will be eliminated. However US politicians - including those from Mr Trump's own Republican party - and international allies fear the withdrawal is premature and would further destabilise the already devastated region. A US pullout, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst, will open the way "for Turkey to start its operations against the Kurds, and a bloody war will begin." French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he "deeply regretted" Mr Trump's decision, and that "an ally must be reliable." Israel has been careful to point out that it respects the US decision, but analysts say that beneath those public pronouncements are concerns over whether its main enemy Iran will have a freer hand. Mr Trump's sudden decision sparked turmoil within his administration, prompting the resignation of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-Isil coalition, as well as Mr Mattis. Mr McGurk said he could not support Mr Trump's Syria decision, saying it "left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered." Plans for the troop pullout will now be overseen by Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who Mr Trump announced on Sunday would replace Mr Mattis starting January 1. Unlike Mr Mattis, Mr Shanahan has never served in the military and has spent most of his career in the private sector, including with aircraft giant Boeing. Until Mr Trump finds a permanent Pentagon chief, Mr Shanahan will lead plans for US troops to leave Syria along with a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, both of which critics worry will leave war-torn regions at risk of continued and potentially heightened bloodshed.
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| Why Santa should ditch his sleigh for a pair of Lamborghinis Posted: 24 Dec 2018 03:20 AM PST  We embark on a Christmas road trip through Italy to find out if Father Christmas should trade-in his reindeer for a pair of Raging Bulls.
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| Russia: Hole drilled from inside Int'l Space Station capsule Posted: 24 Dec 2018 08:11 AM PST  MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian cosmonaut who explored a mysterious hole in a capsule docked to the International Space Station said Monday that the opening was drilled from inside the spacecraft and Russian law enforcement agencies are investigating what caused it.
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| Elon Musk promises Tesla will pay customers who miss federal tax credit Posted: 24 Dec 2018 07:15 AM PST  'Tesla will cover the tax credit difference' on cars not delivered before Jan. 1.
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| Introducing the World's Most Secretive Nuclear Weapons Program (Not North Korea) Posted: 24 Dec 2018 07:39 PM PST  Who could that be?
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| Minnesota Attorney General sues Comcast for allegedly overcharging customers Posted: 24 Dec 2018 08:07 PM PST ![Minnesota Attorney General sues Comcast for allegedly overcharging customers]( "Minnesota Attorney General sues Comcast for allegedly overcharging customers") We know this will come as a shock to many of you, but the cable giant Comcast has become synonymous among the general public with price hikes that squeeze customers for every extra cent available, and then some. Indeed, the company has even been raising prices as much as it can at what you could argue is exactly the wrong time -- a period when a growing number of customers are cutting the cord, saying goodbye to traditional pricey cable packages and going all-in on Internet-based TV. And now, along comes Minnesota's attorney general, who on Friday filed a lawsuit against Comcast/Xfinity that lays a host of allegations at the company's feet, like the notion that it's overcharged thousands of customers for TV packages and even failed to come through on promised gift cards. ABC News reports that the state's attorney general Lori Swanson took more than two years to investigate the company before filing the suit because of what she says was a lack of cooperation from Comcast. Also, Swanson contends that Comcast started doing business as Xfinity some years ago to get out from under the poor reputation among customers that the Comcast brand enjoys. Her suit, among other things, asks a court to force Comcast to stop what Swanson contends are deceptive business practices. From ABC's reporting: Swanson "said Comcast often promises customers fixed prices for a year or two for cable packages, then tacks on 'an array of undisclosed fees' that can jack up the bill by 30 percent or more. Comcast then raises those fees, Swanson said, pointing out that a fee charged to most customers for regional sports has gone up 700 percent since 2015, from $1 a month to $8 this year. That's an additional $84 a year. "'It's hard to shop around for cable services if the company is playing hide-the-ball on fees,' Swanson told reporters." The report goes on to note Swanson pointing to other customers who got charged for equipment and services they didn't order -- some who got charged for those things even after turning them down. And that Comcast had failed to give thousands of customers promotional gift cards worth up to $300 in exchange for signing up with the company. Comcast, of course, disputes the allegations in the suit. Explains company spokeswoman Jill Hornbacher in a statement: "We fully disclose all charges, fees and promotional requirements. The facts do not support the Minnesota Attorney General's allegations and we'd like nothing more than to work collaboratively with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office; however, they've raised complaints about matters that date back several years and have largely ignored our efforts to work together to address them." As the ABC report notes, Comcast also recently agreed to settle a case with similar allegations in Massachusetts. Comcast agreed as part that settlement to take steps including absorbing $950,000 in refunds or debt cancellations for more than 20,000 subscribers.
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| Government shutdown, day 4: Pelosi blames Trump for using 'scare tactics' over border wall Posted: 25 Dec 2018 08:28 AM PST  House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused President Donald Trump of using "scare tactics" to build support for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall
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| Second Guatemalan migrant child dies in US custody Posted: 25 Dec 2018 03:04 PM PST  Washington (AFP) - An eight-year-old migrant from Guatemala died in government custody on Tuesday, US Customs and Border Protection said, the second child fatality in US detention this month.
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| Scientists find galactic fossil of the Big Bang Posted: 24 Dec 2018 05:46 AM PST ![Scientists find galactic fossil of the Big Bang]( "Scientists find galactic fossil of the Big Bang") Mexico, Dec. 24 (Notimex).- A group of astronomers discovered one of the only three known fossil clouds in the Universe, which will offer new data on the formation of the first galaxies. The cloud of orphan gas that formed after the Big Bang was discovered in the distant Universe, through the optical telescope of the WM Keck Observatory in Maunakea, Hawaii. The discovery of the galactic fossil was carried out by PhD student Fred Robert and Professor Michael Murphy at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. "Everywhere we look, the gas in the universe is contaminated by the waste of heavy elements from exploding stars," Robert said. However, he explained, this particular cloud seems pristine, not polluted by stars, even 1,500 million years after the Big Bang. "The most convincing explanation is that it is a true relic of the Big Bang," he said. According to the WM Keck Observatory, the other two known fossil clouds were discovered in 2011, however, it is now possible to inspect these fossil relics, said Michael Murphy. "That will tell us exactly how rare they are and will help us understand how some stars and galaxies formed gas in the early universe and why some do not," he said. NTX/ICB/MAG/JCG
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| How the 14,000 Migrant Children in Federal Custody Will Spend Christmas Posted: 24 Dec 2018 01:43 PM PST  For many, it will be their first Christmas away from home
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| The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store Posted: 25 Dec 2018 03:35 PM PST ![The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store]( "The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store") App Store Official Charts for the week ending December 23, 2018:
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| Christians celebrate Christmas Eve at Manger Square in Bethlehem Posted: 24 Dec 2018 03:52 PM PST  Visitors flock to the region to celebrate their faith despite regional tensions; Trey Yingst reports from Bethlehem.
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| See differences as asset, not danger, pope says in Christmas message Posted: 25 Dec 2018 05:53 AM PST  Security has been tight around the Vatican for the Christmas season, with military jeeps stationed at key access routes and tourists undergoing metal detector and bag searches. Last week police in southern Italy arrested a Somali man suspected of having been a member of Islamic State and who had threatened to bomb churches in Italy, including St. Peter's. In his address, in what appeared to be a reference to the shrill political climate in a number of countries, Francis called for "fraternity among people with different ideas, yet capable of respecting and listening to one another".
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| These Sonos deals will make your next Christmas party so much better than this year Posted: 25 Dec 2018 08:50 AM PST ![These Sonos deals will make your next Christmas party so much better than this year]( "These Sonos deals will make your next Christmas party so much better than this year") We're not trying to suggest that your Christmas party this year is bad, but if you're being honest with yourself then you know there's room for improvement. For one thing, playing background Christmas music on a tiny little portable Bluetooth speaker isn't doing anyone any favors and you know it. Amazon is running a great sale on several different Sonos speakers right now, and taking advantage of these deals will ensure that next year's Christmas party is way better than your party this year. You can save $20 on a Sonos One smart speaker with Alexa or $50 on a two-room set of Sonos Ones. On top of that, there are two secret Sonos deals that you wouldn't have found by searching. You can also snag two Sonos Play:1 speakers and a $30 Amazon gift card for just $298, or a Sonos Playbar with a Sonos wall mount and a $50 gift card for $699. ## Sonos One * Start and control your music with your voice. Amazon Alexa built right in. * Play songs, check news and traffic, control your smart home and enjoy all those other helpful Amazon Alexa skills using a single Sonos speaker. * Ask Alexa to Play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn and SiriusXM. Listen to hundreds of other streaming services with the Sonos app. * Connect wirelessly with other Sonos Home Sound System speakers to play music in any or every room. * Enjoy surprisingly rich, room-filling sound from a smart speaker.Connects to your home WiFi network with any 802.11b/g ## Sonos One - 2-Room Set * Start and control music with your voice. Amazon Alexa is built right in. * Fill two rooms in your home with rich, crystal clear sound, the perfect way to begin your Sonos system. * Pair your Sonos Ones together in the same room for stereo sound. Connect them to Playbar or Playbase for epic home theater surround sound. * Get the latest weather updates, flash briefings and sports scores, set timers, and enjoy all those other helpful Amazon Alexa skills using a single Sonos speaker. * Add even more Sonos speakers to experience wireless audio throughout your home. ## Two Room Set with Sonos Play:1 + $30 Amazon Gift card * Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately) * Fill two separate rooms with different music, or link them together to hear the same song in both. Great surround speakers for your Sonos home theater, too * Versatile, compact fit. Place them wherever you want and enjoy rich, room-filling sound * Streams all your favorite music services like Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music and more * Easy 10-minute wi-fi set up. No Bluetooth pairing problems or interruptions * Connects wirelessly to Sonos speakers in other rooms so you can expand your Home Sound System when you're ready ## Sonos Playbar TV Soundbar with Sonos Wall Mount Kit + $50 Amazon Gift card * Playbar complements HD television screens with crisp and powerful sound from nine amplified speaker drivers. Wirelessly streams all your favorite music services too. * Playbar syncs wirelessly with other Sonos speakers so you can listen to TV or music in perfect sync, throughout your home. * Playbar has simple two-cord setup. One for power and one for the TV. Control from your existing TV remote, or wirelessly connect on the Sonos app from your smart device. * Wall Mount makes Playbar easy to install to any wall with pegs in precisely the right place. * Wall Mount allows for placement horizontally above or below your TV * Add even more Sonos speakers to experience wireless audio throughout your home.
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| China accuses Britain, EU of hypocrisy over Canada detention concerns Posted: 24 Dec 2018 04:49 AM PST  Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Saturday Canada will maintain a high-level campaign in the coming days to seek support from allies as it pressures China to free the two detained Canadians, who China says are suspected of endangering state security. Freeland spoke a day after the United States joined Canada in calling on Beijing to release the pair, who were held after Canadian authorities arrested a senior Chinese executive on a U.S. extradition warrant. Britain and the European Union have also expressed support for Canada.
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| Turkey-backed fighters prepare to replace US forces in Syria Posted: 24 Dec 2018 02:10 PM PST  BEIRUT (AP) — Turkish-backed fighters said Monday they are preparing to move into eastern Syria alongside Turkish troops once American forces withdraw and are already massing on the front line of a town held by Kurdish-led forces.
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| Russia expands economic sanctions on Ukraine Posted: 25 Dec 2018 10:10 AM PST  Russia on Tuesday expanded its economic sanctions on Ukraine, adding more than 250 people and businesses to a blacklist first announced at the start of November. According to a decree by Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev, 245 individuals and seven companies, mostly in the energy and defence sectors, were sanctioned by Moscow. Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated since a pro-Western government came to power after the 2014 revolt against a pro-Russian leader, Moscow's annexation of the Crimea and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine.
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| No reserve 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster is a collector's dream Posted: 24 Dec 2018 11:00 AM PST  The Porsche 911 Speedster is classic car royalty with its distinctive shape and rarity. This perfectly preserved example with under 4000 miles is particularly appealing
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| Here Are All the Stores Open and Closed on Christmas 2018 Posted: 24 Dec 2018 02:45 AM PST  Including Walgreens and CVS
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