| The Latest: House clears Senate version of border aid bill Posted: 27 Jun 2019 02:22 PM PDT  The Democratic-controlled House is sending President Donald Trump a bipartisan $4.6 billion Senate-drafted measure to care for migrant refugees detained at the southern border. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote that capped a Washington skirmish in which die-hard House liberals came out on the losing end in a battle with the White House, the GOP-held Senate, and Democratic moderates. Final action came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi abandoned a plan to require more stringent care requirements for detained migrant families and children, many of whom have been held in harsh, overcrowded conditions.
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| No 'boots on the ground' in Iran dispute, Trump says; cites 'unlimited time' for new deal Posted: 26 Jun 2019 06:45 AM PDT  WASHINGTON/GENEVA (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was "not talking boots on the ground" should he take military action against Iran and that he had "unlimited time" to try to forge an agreement with Tehran. Iran suggested it was just one day from breaching a limit in the 2015 nuclear deal that restricted its stockpile of uranium, a move that would pressure European countries aiming to be neutral to pick sides. The fate of the multilateral nuclear deal, under which Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions, has been at the heart of the U.S.-Iran dispute which took on a military dimension in recent weeks.
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| "First Cut of Steel": The Navy's New Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Coming Soon Posted: 26 Jun 2019 11:21 AM PDT  Using first-of-its-kind digital modeling techniques, and advanced training, the Navy has been making rapid progress staying ahead of the original construction schedule. The ship specs are 100-percent complete, the arrangements are 97.5 percent complete and the ship disclosures are already 43-percent complete.Almost nobody knows where they are at any given time, yet nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines quietly patrol dark domains of the undersea realm in strategically vital waters around the globe, bringing the prospect of unprecedented destruction upon potential enemies -- all as a way to keep peace.It would not be an exaggeration to call the first "cut of steel" for the lead ship in a class of new nuclear-armed Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines an historic ocassion, as the boat is intended to usher in a new era in firepower-reliant strategic deterrence.A "cut-of-steel" for advanced construction of the first boat took place at Newport News Shipbuilding June 17 -- three weeks early -- marking the formal beginning of a long and carefully labored process of building the most technically advanced ballistic missile submarine ever to exist.The submarine's mission is clear: ensure total destruction against anyone launching a first-strike nuclear attack upon the US."We have to have that first boat out on patrol no later than October, 2030. I can tell you today, we are planning to beat that," Capt. John Rucker, Columbia-class program manager, said at the Navy League's Sea Air Space symposium in May.Using first-of-its-kind digital modeling techniques, and advanced training, the Navy has been making rapid progress staying ahead of the original construction schedule. The ship specs are 100-percent complete, the arrangements are 97.5 percent complete and the ship disclosures are already 43-percent complete."The lead ship Virginia had about one percent of the ship done in advanced construction. We are doing 11-percent of advanced construction to get ahead of the curve. We are trying to de-risk this program to get ahead," Rucker explained.
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| The 2020 Ford Super Duty Goes After the Ram Power Wagon with a Tremor Off-Road Package Posted: 27 Jun 2019 03:00 AM PDT  This new option package adds a lift kit, meaty Goodyear off-road tires, and other bits of off-road equipment.
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| Beto breaks into Spanish at Democratic debate Posted: 26 Jun 2019 06:49 PM PDT  Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke answered his first question at the 2020 Democratic presidential debate in Miami — in both English and Spanish.
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| Man dumps bucket of water on homeless woman from San Francisco rooftop in viral video Posted: 27 Jun 2019 09:49 AM PDT  The San Francisco Police Department classifies the attack as a misdemeanor battery, and will investigate if the victim comes forward.
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| Exclusive: Western intelligence hacked 'Russia's Google' Yandex to spy on accounts - sources Posted: 27 Jun 2019 11:19 AM PDT  WASHINGTON/LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hackers working for Western intelligence agencies broke into Russian internet search company Yandex in late 2018 deploying a rare type of malware in an attempt to spy on user accounts, four people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The malware, called Regin, is known to be used by the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance of the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, the sources said. Western cyberattacks against Russia are seldom acknowledged or spoken about in public.
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| Saudi envoy blasts UN expert's report on Khashoggi killing Posted: 26 Jun 2019 09:31 AM PDT  In what amounted to a face-off at the U.N's top human rights body, Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil insisted that special rapporteur Agnes Callamard had failed to follow proper procedures and used flawed sourcing in her 101-page report made public last week. "Accusations have been launched, and fingers have been pointed — (she is) supporting herself on non-credible articles or sources," he told the Human Rights Council, in Arabic through a U.N. interpreter.
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| Real, Unrestored, And Rare 1967 Ford Mustang GTA Posted: 27 Jun 2019 02:06 PM PDT  It's a one-of-one optioned vehicle to boot. You read that right. This is a one-of-one 1967 Ford Mustang GTA convertible with the Marti report to back it up. It's a super rare find and is currently for sale through Shelton Classics in North Carolina for $34,995. Although most of the first-gen Mustangs featured most of the same design elements, each year received some slight upgrades. The 1967 model is undoubtedly the first year that these changes really became apparent and made the muscle car look even meaner. This rare 1967 Mustang convertible is a factory GTA Fastback with a one-of-one options list. To put it simply, there is no other Mustang GTA 'vert produced with the same colors or options as this car. It also doesn't hurt that this beauty has a stunning Candy Apple Red exterior paint job.It's quite shocking to say that this Mustang has never been restored. It has, however, received a shiny repainting and new convertible top thanks to the natural aging process. Though, other than that, this GTA is larely in original condition. There's just a completely different feeling behind the wheel of an original, untouched car than that of a resto one. Sometimes it's better to be maintained than battered and brought to life.The exterior of this '67 Mustang is clean and straight, with no obvious damage or questionable repairs. All of the sheet metal appears to be original as well, which eliminates the uncertainty of any poorly performed bodywork. It's quite difficult to find a Ford Mustang that is this solid with all the original metal in place, especially a convertible that still has its original floorpans.You're going to want to take the top off this beauty and show off that stunning red vinyl cabin. The cockpit appears to be all original, apart from the replacement carpet. The bucket seats, along with the rest of the interior, are in excellent condition – especially for an unrestored model.This 1967 Mustang GTA still contains what is believed to be all of its original drivetrain, including Ford's high-performance 289 cubic-inch V8 engine mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. For those who were wondering, that's where the "A" in GTA comes from. The car runs just as it should without any smoke, hesitation, or unwelcoming noises.If you take into account its overall originality in conjunction with the impressive Marti report, this Mustang GTA is a valuable collector's item. Turn the key and you'll see just how incredible this unmodified Stang really is. Add it to your garage today! Read more... 1967 Ford Mustang GTA Fastback Restomod 1967 Mustang 'Barn Find' Needs A Visionary
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| U.A.E. Splits With U.S. Over Blame for Oil Tanker Attack in May Posted: 26 Jun 2019 04:23 AM PDT  (Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates appeared to distance itself from U.S. claims that pinned attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz on Iran."Honestly we can't point the blame at any country because we don't have evidence," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Wednesday in Moscow. "If there is a country that has the evidence, then I'm convinced that the international community will listen to it. But we need to make sure the evidence is precise and convincing."While an investigation by the U.A.E., Norway and Saudi Arabia concluded that a "state actor" was most likely behind the incident in May, no nation was singled out. Still, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has said that Iran was almost certainly responsible.The attack predated the pair of strikes in the Gulf of Oman this month that the U.S. has also blamed on Iran. Vessels were targeted off the U.A.E. coast in May as they made their way toward the Strait of Hormuz, the world's foremost oil shipping chokepoint.Iran's foreign minister has labeled Bolton and the leaders of the U.A.E., Israel and Saudi Arabia as the "B-team" that's prodding President Donald Trump into going to war with the Islamic Republic. Trump slapped new sanctions on Tehran this week.With tensions on the rise across the Middle East, the U.A.E.'s top diplomat tried to change tack after talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov."We are in a region that is tense and important for the world and we don't want more tension," said Sheikh Abdullah.\--With assistance from Zainab Fattah and Verity Ratcliffe.To contact the reporter on this story: Abbas Al Lawati in Dubai at aallawati6@bloomberg.netTo contact the editors responsible for this story: Shaji Mathew at shajimathew@bloomberg.net, Paul Abelsky, Mark WilliamsFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
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| Iran unbowed by US 'insults', says supreme leader Khamenei Posted: 26 Jun 2019 04:54 AM PDT  Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that his country remains unbowed by pressure exerted by the United States and its "insults" against the Islamic republic. Tehran and Washington have engaged in an escalating war of words following Iran's shooting down of a US drone last week. Pressure mounted this week with US President Donald Trump announcing sanctions on Khamenei and other top Iranian officials.
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| Can't Afford That Shiny F-35? This Jet Fighter Might Be Able to Fight Your War Posted: 26 Jun 2019 05:39 AM PDT  From Chinese media claiming that Taiwan's F-16 fleet is "no match" for the J-11 to Russian media claiming that the S-400 will "send the F-35 to its grave," it has become a well-established tradition for defense outlets to speak up their nation's weapons while deriding those of rival powers.Defense commentary is, and always has been, notoriously difficult to disentangle from national politics.The urge to establish one's martial prowess over one's adversaries took many different forms in the pre-modern period, from references to fighting spirit and superior force of will to invocations of divine favor.(This first appeared earlier in June 2019.)But in the centuries following the tremendous technological progress of the industrial revolution, a new paradigm has taken hold: "the enemy will crumble before our superior military hardware."From Chinese media claiming that Taiwan's F-16 fleet is "no match" for the J-11 to Russian media claiming that the S-400 will "send the F-35 to its grave," it has become a well-established tradition for defense outlets to speak up their nation's weapons while deriding those of rival powers.So, when one of Russia's foremost defense outlets--Voennoe Obozrenie\--published a comparison piece between Su-30/Su-35 and Sweden's Gripen NG fighter by Russian defense writer Evgeny Damantsev, the expectation was clear. The reality, however, is as refreshing as it is surprising.Damantsev's iconoclastic intent is readily apparent from the article's headline: "Gripen-NG harmless for Su-30 and Su-35? Take off the rose-colored glasses!" The author is reacting to a recent statement by commander-in-chief of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Matts Helgesson, that the JAS-39E/F--also known as Gripen-NG--was "made to destroy" the Su-30SM and Su-35."Extremely unprofessional" and "self-aggrandizing" as Helgesson's comments are, Damantsev warns that it would be premature to dismiss them as pure bluster. He notes that his colleagues, guided by "patriotic sentiment" and made complacent by the Su-30/Su-35's superior numbers, hastily concluded that the latest Gripen variants "pose no real threat" to Russia's air force. This conclusion, however, relies on what is only a surface-level overview of Gripen-NG's specifications sheet. That is, it fails to consider how Gripen-NG's avionics, electronic countermeasures (ECM) and armaments are designed to work in tandem for the express purpose of countering Russia's current Sukhoi line.
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| Uruguay withdraws from OAS meeting over Venezuela opposition delegation Posted: 27 Jun 2019 07:03 AM PDT  Uruguay on Thursday withdrew from a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) being held in Medellin, Colombia, in protest of the presence of what it said was an illegitimate delegation from Venezuela. The incident, on the first of two days of meetings, laid bare a lack of consensus in the organization over whether to increase pressure on embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is backed by some member states but called a dictator by others. The country's opposition, lead by National Assembly head Juan Guaido, appointed Gustavo Tarre as its representative to the body.
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| Police have person of interest in case of missing SoCal student MacKenzie Lueck Posted: 27 Jun 2019 11:31 AM PDT  Salt Lake City police said the owner of a residence that was served a search warrant is being considered as a person of interest in the case of missing college student MacKenzie Lueck.
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| In rambling interview, Trump pronounces Biden 'a lost soul' Posted: 26 Jun 2019 07:31 AM PDT  Trump hurled a new insult at former Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday morning in a phone interview on Fox Business.
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| View Photos of the 2020 Audi Q7 Posted: 26 Jun 2019 06:54 AM PDT |
| NRA splits with PR firm, lobbyist and TV amid infighting Posted: 26 Jun 2019 02:35 PM PDT  Infighting at the National Rifle Association exploded Wednesday, when the powerful association severed ties with its longtime public relations firm, suspended operations of its fiery online TV station and lost its top lobbyist. The latest turmoil emerged just a year before the critical 2020 presidential elections when the NRA's ability to influence the outcome could decide the fate of gun rights. Lobbyist Chris Cox, long viewed as the likely successor to longtime CEO Wayne LaPierre, was placed on administrative leave about a week ago by the NRA, which claimed he was part of a failed attempt to extort LaPierre and push him out.
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| Dozens of drivers get stuck in mud after Google reroutes them down dirt road Posted: 27 Jun 2019 06:03 AM PDT  Dozens of cars got stuck in mud after being rerouted by Google Maps to an obscure road near Denver International Airport. After a car crash caused long traffic wait, Google's GPS app rerouted some drivers to East 64th Avenue in Aurora. This new route was supposed to take half the time. The first few minutes on the road were fine, but then, 64th Avenue turned into a dirt road. After a few days of rain, the road had become mud. When Connie Monsees, who was going to pick up her husband at the airport, saw dozens of cars stuck one after the other, not able to move, it was already too late. the road is narrow, so there was no turning back. "That's when I thought, this was a bad idea," Monsees told ABC7NY. She has all-wheel drive, so she was one of the lucky ones able to make it out the mud. She took with her two people who asked for a ride."I tore up the inside passenger wheel well for my tire, but it's not that big of a deal compared to some other people who really tore their cars up and got themselves stuck out there," she said.According to ABC7NY, the road is privately-owned and maintained. Following the incident, the road was closed to the public.It's unclear why the GPS redirected the cars on that road.
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| Julián Castro Finally Had His Big Moment at the First Debate Posted: 26 Jun 2019 10:10 PM PDT  Julián Castro has been a rising star in the Democratic Party since at least 2012, but he didn't catch the spotlight until Wednesday night.
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| Gun shop owners say California's new ammo law is not ready to be implemented Posted: 25 Jun 2019 06:19 PM PDT  A new gun safety law is set to go into effect on Monday. It will require identification and a background check for people who want to buy ammunition. But it's not playing well among all gun owners.
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| WRAPUP 3-Boeing sees fix for latest 737 MAX software flaw in September Posted: 27 Jun 2019 09:57 AM PDT ![WRAPUP 3-Boeing sees fix for latest 737 MAX software flaw in September]( "WRAPUP 3-Boeing sees fix for latest 737 MAX software flaw in September") Boeing Co will take until at least September to fix a newly identified problem on its grounded 737 MAX, a company official told Reuters, meaning the workhorse jet's return to service will be delayed until October at the earliest, significantly longer than most airlines had expected. Boeing shares closed 3% lower on Thursday, after the Chicago-based company told air carriers that it would complete the latest software update for the 737 MAX by September after a new issue arose last week during a simulator test. Once Boeing completes the update, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration must review the fix and the results of a certification test flight that will not be scheduled until at least September, a process that will take at least two to three weeks.
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| Marine testifies Navy SEAL did not stab Iraq captive Posted: 27 Jun 2019 03:35 PM PDT  A Marine who worked jointly in Iraq with a decorated Navy SEAL accused of murder testified Thursday that the SEAL did not stab a teenage Islamic State prisoner in his care. Marine Staff Sergeant Georgio Kirylo said that he did not see stab wounds on the neck of the dead captive when he moved the body to position it for a so-called "trophy" photo. Kirylo took the stand in the San Diego court-martial of SEAL Chief Edward Gallagher, who is accused of fatally stabbing the adolescent militant in 2017.
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| Every Recipes You Need For The Best Fourth Of July Menu Ever Posted: 27 Jun 2019 01:00 PM PDT |
| Venezuela government says thwarted attempted 'coup' Posted: 26 Jun 2019 12:36 PM PDT  Venezuela's socialist government said Wednesday it has derailed an attempted coup, claiming the United States, Colombia and Chile colluded in a plot by officers to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and install a general in his place, a minister said. Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said the plan involved both active and retired army officers and was to have been executed between Sunday and Monday this past weekend.
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| Mika Brzezinski on Trump’s attacks: ‘It has gotten scary’ Posted: 26 Jun 2019 02:30 AM PDT  It's disgusting. It's wrong, and it's not what we know.'" "There's Republicans and Democrats — and then there's Trump, which is a whole different ball game. "You know, there were days that I said things that were shrill. I said things that were — I used inappropriate language.
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| Did India Just Make China's New Stealth Fighters Obsolete? Posted: 26 Jun 2019 05:35 AM PDT  As radar-guided missiles from fighters and ground-based launchers threaten aircraft from dozens, or even hundreds of miles away, stealth capabilities are increasingly perceived as necessary for keeping fighter pilots alive on the modern battlefield.In January 2011, the maiden flight of a large, dagger-like grey jet announced that China had developed its first stealth aircraft—the Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon." Six years later, after several substantial revisions, J-20s entered operational service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.(This first appeared several months ago.)As radar-guided missiles from fighters and ground-based launchers threaten aircraft from dozens, or even hundreds of miles away, stealth capabilities are increasingly perceived as necessary for keeping fighter pilots alive on the modern battlefield.But just how good is the J-20? And what is its intended role? After all, America's first stealth fighter, the F-117 Nighthawk, was not even really a fighter and lacked any air-to-air capability whatsoever.The PLA has, true to custom, kept its cards close to the chest, and has not shared performance specifications to the public. Thus, there are broad estimates of the J-20's top speed (around Mach 2), and considerable-seeming range (1,200 to 2,000 miles), but those remain just that—estimates. For years, analysts even over-estimated the aircraft's length by two meters. It's broad but relatively shallow weapons bay can accommodate four to six long-range missiles or bombs, though not munitions with especially heavy warheads.International observers generally concluded the large twin-engine jet possessed high speed and long operational range, but that the Mighty Dragon lacked the maneuverability necessary to prevail in close engagements with enemy fighters. Relatively modest aerobatic displays in the Zhuhai 2016 and 2018 airshows (you can see some of the latter here) reinforced the narrative in certain quarters that the J-20 isn't optimized for gut-wrenching air combat maneuvers.Given the above premises, observers mostly speculate the J-20 would either serve as long-range supersonic strike plane, or a hit-and-run interceptor used to slip past fighter screens and take out vulnerable supporting tanker and AWACS planes.However, Rick Joe of The Diplomat argues these theories of the J-20's supposedly specialized role might be a case of group-think, ignoring both design features and statements by Chinese sources suggesting the J-20 was intended as a multi-role fighter with "competitive" dogfighting capability.
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| Senate Passes $4.6 Billion Border-Funding Bill after Rejecting Pelosi’s Version Posted: 26 Jun 2019 12:36 PM PDT  The Senate on Wednesday passed a $4.6 billion spending package to alleviate the ongoing crisis at the southern border, just moments after rejecting a similar emergency-funding bill advanced by House Democrats that included restrictions on the funding of certain border-enforcement measures.Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who shepherded the more restrictive spending bill through the House on Tuesday, announced her caucus's opposition to the Senate bill before it was voted on, ensuring a contentious reconciliation process between the two chambers before a final bill can be sent to President Trump's desk."They pass their bill, we respect that," Pelosi said Wednesday. "We passed our bill, we hope they would respect that. And there are some improvements that we think can be reconciled."Republican lawmakers have emphasized the urgency of the border crisis in asking their Democratic colleagues to avoid a protracted reconciliation process by passing the Senate spending bill immediately, before lawmakers leave town for the one-week July 4 recess.Addressing his colleagues on the Senate floor before the vote on Wednesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasized the bipartisan support behind the upper chamber's spending bill, which ultimately passed 84–8."The House has not made much progress toward actually making a law, just more resistance theater," McConnell said. "The Senate has a better and more bipartisan way forward.""It's a productive compromise that would go a long way to begin to address the border crisis: no poison pills, just a clean bill," he added, referencing the restrictions placed on the use of funds in the House spending bill.The House bill, which fell 19 votes short of passage in the Senate, includes numerous humanitarian provisions related to the detention of migrants and restricts the amount of funding that can be allocated to enforcement mechanisms.The Senate bill, meanwhile, allocates $1.3 billion to improve the Border Patrol and HHS detention facilities, which have been overwhelmed by the 144,000 asylum-seekers that arrived at the border last month, as well as $2.9 billion to improve the medical care and supervision of migrant children, many of whom, according to multiple recent reports, have been deprived of basic hygiene products and proper beds due to lack of resources.House Democrats, particularly those in the progressive wing of the caucus, remain opposed to the Senate bill because they believe it does not do enough to ensure the humane treatment of migrants. Their bill would allow lawmakers to do unannounced checks of detention facilities, would mandate the provision of certain hygiene products, and would limit the amount of time children can be detained to just 90 days.
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| This Fully Electric 711-HP BMW 5-Series Prototype Is Amazingly Quick Posted: 26 Jun 2019 07:24 AM PDT  The unassuming development mule is an incubator for some serious electric-vehicle engineering.
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| Google now lets you set a timer to auto-delete mobile location history and activity data Posted: 27 Jun 2019 07:58 AM PDT  In its latest attempt to give control back to users, Google started rolling out auto-delete controls for location history and activity data on iOS and Android devices this week. Google first announced this tool in a blog post back in May, but now you can try it out for yourself and set a timer to delete sensitive information automatically.It isn't quite as robust a tool as some of the privacy controls that Google has introduced in recent years, but a little more control is better than none at all. If you head to the activity controls hub on Google's website, you can tap the blue "Manage Activity" button below "Web & App Activity" as well as "Location History" to find a new option labeled "Choose to delete automatically." Tap on that, and you'll be given the choice to either keep data until you delete it manually, or keep it for either 3 or 18 months before it automatically deletes.While the auto-delete controls aren't as full-featured as some users might prefer them to be, having the ability to set a timer and not worry about whether or not your location history and web activity data is going to be floating around the internet forever is a welcome addition. You already have the ability to turn off Google's tracking altogether or delete the data manually, but choice is important when it comes to privacy.https://twitter.com/Google/status/1143912686603759618The auto-delete controls are available on my iPhone as of today, but if you don't see the setting yet, don't worry. The controls have just begun rolling out globally this week, so it might take a few days to appear.
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| Working-class Mexicans don’t want Central American immigrants, either. Here's why. Posted: 27 Jun 2019 09:12 AM PDT  Before you call them hypocrites, there's a good reason why poverty-stricken Mexicans don't want Central Americans in their country.
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| 'I told him not to' go, mother of drowned Salvadoran migrant laments Posted: 26 Jun 2019 10:38 AM PDT  The mother of a Salvadoran man who drowned with his young daughter while trying to reach U.S. soil, becoming a global symbol of the perils of migration, said she had urged her son not to leave, fearing danger would meet him on the long journey north. A harrowing photograph of Oscar Alberto Martinez, 25, and his 24-month-old daughter Angie Valeria lying face down on the muddy banks of the Rio Grande river between the United States and Mexico ricocheted across social media this week. Speaking with Reuters from her home in the central municipality of San Martin, Rosa Ramirez, Oscar's mother, cradled two of her granddaughter's most treasured toys, a blue-eyed baby doll and a stuffed purple monkey.
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| Michigan AG sues to shut down oil pipeline in Great Lakes Posted: 27 Jun 2019 11:25 AM PDT  Michigan's attorney general sued Thursday to shut down twin 66-year-old oil pipelines in the Great Lakes, saying they pose an "unacceptable risk" and the state cannot wait five to 10 years for Enbridge Inc. to build a tunnel to house replacement pipes running through the Straits of Mackinac. Democrat Dana Nessel's move came the same day she also sought to dismiss the Canadian company's request for a ruling on the legality of a deal it struck last year with former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to encase a new segment of its Line 5 in the proposed tunnel. "I have consistently stated that Enbridge's pipelines in the Straits need to be shut down as soon as possible because they present an unacceptable risk to the Great Lakes," Nessel said.
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| In Surprise Census Decision, Supreme Court Finally Calls BS on the Trump Administration Posted: 27 Jun 2019 10:58 AM PDT  Win McNamee/GettyThe Trump administration's plan to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census—which it estimated would decrease Hispanic participation in the census by five percent—has been temporarily shelved by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision.The reason? The administration lied."Reasoned decisionmaking under the Administrative Procedure Act calls for an explanation for agency action," Chief Justice Roberts wrote in the opinion for the Court. "What was provided here was more of a distraction."That is music to the ears of Trump's critics. Finally, there is a limit to how much this administration can lie and get away with it.Notably, the case was not a complete victory for opponents of the question. The Court held that a citizenship question is constitutional, and that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who is responsible for the census, was within his authority to set aside the dire warnings from the Census Bureau that the question would depress participation. Wilbur Ross Lied to Congress About the GOP's Plot to Rig the Census. This Should Be a National Scandal.But it is a major victory nonetheless, for two reasons.First, the citizenship question is unlikely to be on the 2020 census. The Court's decision kicks the case back to the district court to continue investigations into the real reasons for the question—including deposing Secretary Ross himself. That will take a while. In addition to the material already in the record—including numerous emails and memos clearly showing that Secretary Ross misrepresented the timeline and rationale for the question—still more material was recently unearthed on the hard drives of a deceased Republican operative, Thomas Hofeller, suggesting that citizenship data could be used to draw election districts to advantage "non-Hispanic whites."Evaluating all that information will take a long time.Moreover, the ACLU and the New York Immigration Coalition had asked the district court to sanction government officials for lying in their statements to the court. That investigation, too, will now proceed.It's unclear exactly how long it takes to print 350 million census forms: at first the government said they'd have to start in June, then later they said October. The Census Bureau has said that they intend to start printing the forms next week. (The president said shortly after the court's decision that he has asked lawyers to delay the census.) In any case, it is highly likely that this dispute will not be resolved in time for the citizenship question to be added.The consequences are huge. Had the question been included, it would have intimidated some Hispanics from filling out the census for fear the information would be used by law enforcement for deportation.That undercounting, in turn, would lead to fewer Democratic-leaning congressional districts; to under-apportioning money for areas with uncounted residents; and even to decreasing the electoral college representation of Hispanic-heavy states like Texas, California, and New York. It would make presidential elections like 2016—where Trump won the most electoral votes despite losing the popular vote—more likely.And the data, we now know, would have been used to redraw congressional districts based on their number of citizens, rather than their total population, thus weakening the representation of areas with large numbers of immigrants and people of color.All that is on hold for now, and probably off the table for 2020.The second reason today's decision is a victory has to do with the Court's reasoning: that, in Roberts's words, "we are presented…with an explanation for agency action that is incongruent with what the record reveals about the agency's priorities and decisionmaking process.""Incongruent" is legalese for "lied." The Trump administration said one thing, but the evidence showed another. Specifically, wrote Roberts, "that evidence showed that the Secretary was determined to reinstate a citizenship question from the time he entered office…and adopted the Voting Rights Act rationale late in the process."This "reveal[s] a significant mismatch between the decision the Secretary made and the rationale he provided.""This is a victory for the rule of law," said Dale Ho, the ACLU lawyer who argued the case at the Supreme Court. "You can't have government accountability unless government agencies are open and honest about their reasons for taking the actions they take."Revealed: Memo Shows Trump Officials Trying to Rig Elections for WhitesThere was good reason to doubt that Roberts, in particular, would decide the case this way. Just last year, he took the Trump administration at its word that the so-called "Travel Ban," which began, obviously, as a ban against Muslims entering the United States, was in fact a religion-neutral travel ban put in place for national-security reasons.There, too, the government came up with a bunch of evidence supporting their decision. There, too, they asked the Court to ignore the mountain of evidence that the rationale was pretext. But there, Roberts went along with it. And indeed, in today's decision, Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh note that the Court seems to be contradicting itself. Sometimes it takes the government at its word, sometimes it says that word is pretext. Admittedly, they have a point.But, Roberts seemed to say, there is a limit to how much BS the Court will take. When there are email chains, memos, and meeting notes that directly contradict what government officials are saying, then at the very least, courts will fully inquire into the administrative record.Or, in his more delicate words:"Agencies [must] offer genuine justifications for important decisions, reasons that can be scrutinized by courts and the interested public. Accepting contrived reasons would defeat the purpose of the enterprise. If judicial review is to be more than an empty ritual, it must demand something better than the explanation offered for the action taken in this case."At last, truth has had its day in court.John Roberts Isn't the Conservative You Thought He WasRead 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 on what he tells Putin: 'It's none of your business' Posted: 26 Jun 2019 11:55 AM PDT ![Trump on what he tells Putin: 'It's none of your business']( "Trump on what he tells Putin: 'It's none of your business'") He would not divulge whether he will press the adversarial leader about election interference.
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| Report: China fighters buzz Canada warship in East China Sea Posted: 27 Jun 2019 06:00 AM PDT ![Report: China fighters buzz Canada warship in East China Sea]( "Report: China fighters buzz Canada warship in East China Sea") A report says two Chinese fighter jets buzzed a Canadian warship operating in international waters in the East China Sea at a time of heightened tension between Beijing and Ottawa. Canadian Global Affairs Institute fellow Matthew Fisher wrote that the Su-30 fighters flew within 300 meters (980 feet) of the bow of the frigate HMCS Regina. Fisher, who was aboard the ship, said the display was more aggressive than previous encounters between the Canadian navy and Chinese warplanes, but was not considered dangerous.
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| Hong Kong protesters urge G20 to raise plight with China Posted: 26 Jun 2019 12:46 PM PDT  Hong Kong protesters marched to major consulates on Wednesday in a call for G20 nations to confront fellow member China over sliding freedoms in the financial hub, at a weekend summit in Japan. The semi-autonomous city has been shaken by huge demonstrations this month, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland. The massive rallies are the latest manifestation of growing fears that China is stamping down on the city's unique freedoms and culture.
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| The Truth Behind the BMW 7-Series' Ridiculously Massive Grille Posted: 26 Jun 2019 03:00 PM PDT  Robert Wadlow could've told you that bigger is not always better, but this BMW sedan's grille begs to differ.
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| This $20 stainless steel Apple Watch band looks just like Apple’s $350 Link Bracelet Posted: 27 Jun 2019 09:07 AM PDT ![This $20 stainless steel Apple Watch band looks just like Apple's $350 Link Bracelet]( "This $20 stainless steel Apple Watch band looks just like Apple's $350 Link Bracelet") Apple's $350 Link Bracelet for the Apple Watch is gorgeous but, umm, it costs $350. You can get a brand new Apple Watch for less than that! If you want a steel bracelet with a look that's almost identical for far less money, the Surace Stainless Steel Link Bracelet Replacement for Apple Watch is just what the doctor ordered. There are two different sizes, one that fits every 38mm or 40mm Apple Watch and another that fits any 42mm or 44mm model. Definitely check it out!Here are the highlights from the product page: * Refined buffing and brushed metal surface process gives the silver stainless steel its distinctive finish, chain all blend into one harmonious whole, noble, luxurious yet understated. * Crafted from anodized 304L stainless steel, provides smooth touch feeling, wear-resisting, high hardness, anti-rust. * Butterfly buckle folds neatly within the strap, with simple dual side release button, easy to close and open, safely keep the band on your wrist. * Up to 10 links can be removed, add and remove links with removal pin included in the package, fits 5.67-7.87inches (144-200 mm) wrists. * 18 month conditionally refund or resend with any quality problems, life-time friendly customer service.
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| Time Capsule 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado Is An Amazing Survivor Posted: 26 Jun 2019 07:53 AM PDT  Unblemished and with low miles, this captures an automotive icon in its prime. Not every classic car rips down the quarter mile with a fury. This 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado contains some unique designs plus a sophisticated aura not available with many other cars from its era. Adding this ride to your collection could be a wise move.A Champagne paint job adds a subtle yet sophisticated vibe to this classic Olds. Inspecting the body in the supplied photos, you won't find any apparent major damage to the exterior. All the panels seem to be straight, free of rust, and the paint is in good repair. Chrome front and rear bumpers plus trim pieces are polished to a nice shine. The red vinyl top as a fiery splash of color and is quite presentable. Factory wheels also don't show damage, while whitewall tires keep with the period-correct presentation. On the interior, a red cloth upholstery, carpets, dash, and door panels add a flair you only get a hint at with the roof on the exterior. Wood-grain dash inlays, the OE steering wheel, and original controls keep everything authentic to the core. You'll be hard-pressed to find another 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado that's as well-preserved like this one.According to the seller, Shelton Classics & Performance, this Oldsmobile Toronado starts and runs well. A 455ci V8 provides plenty of power, so you can hit the open road and enjoy smooth cruising and effortless passing. With only 23,717 miles on the clock, this car hasn't seen a lot of action, so you can enjoy the inevitable preservation.Many of the systems on this car work properly, including the heater, speedometer, oil pressure gauge, wipers, lights, and horn. However the fuel gauge, air conditioning, radio, and emergency brake need some work to function again.Oldsmobile made the Toronado from 1966 to 1992. When it first launched, it was the first front-wheel-drive American car since the Cord, which ended production in 1937. For the 1974 model year the Toronado continued to offer forward-thinking technological innovations, including an optional Air Cushion Restraint System, which was an early airbag. This particular car is one of the best-preserved of its kind, so finding another might prove to be next to impossible. More Classic Cars Fully Restored Canyon Red 1985 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler Is A Keeper Knock Knock, Who's There? A 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
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| Amazon launches new in-store pickup option with Rite Aid as first partner Posted: 27 Jun 2019 12:01 AM PDT ![Amazon launches new in-store pickup option with Rite Aid as first partner]( "Amazon launches new in-store pickup option with Rite Aid as first partner") On Thursday, Amazon added another alternative for U.S. customers: Walk into a nearby retailer and pick up an Amazon package over the counter. The new option, called Counter, will launch with pharmacy Rite Aid Corp offering the service in 100 stores, with an expansion to 1,500 stores by year's end, the companies said. Amazon is also looking to get other retailers, including small businesses, to join the program as it expands.
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| The Latest: Mass RMV head resigns over crash that killed 7 Posted: 26 Jun 2019 10:47 AM PDT  The head of the Massachusetts motor vehicle division has resigned for failing to terminate the commercial driving license of man whose collision with a group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire left seven dead. Twenty-three-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy pleaded not guilty Tuesday to seven counts of negligent homicide and was ordered to remain in preventive detention in New Hampshire, with a judge saying his driving record poses a potential danger to the public and himself.
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| Jacob Wohl Says He’ll Enlist if Trump Attacks Iran Posted: 26 Jun 2019 05:40 PM PDT  Joshua Roberts/ReutersEnergetic but ineffectual young conservative operative Jacob Wohl is all-in on the prospect of war with Iran. Wohl is so into the idea, he told Right Richter that he'll enlist in the military if the United States goes to war. "If we go to war with Iran, I will enlist within 10 days," Wohl said in an Instagram direct message. Wohl says he'll consider the United States at war with Iran if Congress authorizes the war or Trump uses a previous military authorization to attack. As for what branch he'll join, Wohl says "probably the Army." Wohl's hypothetical future platoon-mates might want to be aware that Wohl has a reputation for failing spectacularly. Last year, he teamed up with lobbyist Jack Burkman to smear Special Counsel Robert Mueller with a sexual assault allegation that completely collapsed when the alleged victim failed to show, then accused Wohl of making it all up. In April, The Daily Beast caught Wohl and Burkman trying to manufacture a similar allegation against Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg. Any military recruiters, meanwhile, might be interested in Wohl's history of faking death threats against himself, then reporting the bogus threats to law enforcement. In March, Wohl was caught faking threats with a dummy Twitter account during a trip to Minneapolis.Wohl's support for war with Iran puts him out of step with many of his fellow provocateurs in the pro-Trump "New Right," many of whom have claimed Trump is being led by his advisers into war. Conservative personality and brain pill entrepreneur Mike Cernovich and One American News reporter Jack Posobiec, for example, have criticized the push for war with Iran. While Wohl claims he's ready to go to war, he's been now with various 2020 plans. After telling Right Richter about his promise to enlist, Wohl pivoted to bragging about his new plan: getting dirt on Joe Biden. 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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| Photos of the Euro-Spec Ford Puma Posted: 26 Jun 2019 09:19 AM PDT |
| How Trump Would Strike Iran: Think F-35s, B-2 Bombers, Aircraft Carriers and More Posted: 26 Jun 2019 10:00 PM PDT  U.S. president Donald Trump on June 26, 2019 said he could order U.S. forces to strike Iran without involving large numbers of American ground troops."It wouldn't last very long, I can tell you that," Trump said in an interview on Fox Business."I'm not talking boots on the ground," Trump added. "I'm not talking, we're going to send a million soldiers. I'm just saying if something would happen, it wouldn't last very long."Trump's comments hint at a possible U.S. plan for retaliating against Iran for the Islamic Republic's June 19, 2019 downing of a U.S. Navy surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.U.S. warships could fire cruise missiles while bombers launched their own missiles and stealth warplanes penetrated Iranian air defenses. U.S. presidents several times in recent years have opted to strike from the air in this manner rather than risk a ground war.The major forces already are in the region or available on short notice. The U.S. Air Force in April 2019 deployed at least six F-35A stealth fighters to Al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates. And in May 2019 the flying branch sent four B-52 bombers to Al Udeid air base in Qatar.The F-35s have flown combat missions over Iraq. The B-52s meanwhile have conducted show-of-force flights near Iran. If Trump ordered U.S. forces to strike Iran, the B-52s could lob cruise missiles at Iranian targets from hundreds of miles away while the F-35s flew closer to drop GPS- and laser-guided bombs.B-2 stealth bombers currently at their home base in Missouri could fly across the Atlantic Ocean to join the F-35s in close air strikes. In 2011 then-U.S. president Barack Obama ordered three B-2s to fly thousands of miles from Missouri to Libya in order to strike Libyan air defenses during the opening hours of the NATO air campaign over the North African country.The B-2s required multiple mid-air refuelings that themselves demanded careful coordination. Air Force tanker planners surely have begun studying aerial-refueling plans in the event the White House requires B-2s to hit Iran.The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as of June 26, 2019 was in the Persian Gulf region with one cruiser and four destroyers as escorts. While Lincoln's 40 F/A-18E/F fighters could contribute to strikes on Iran, their lack of stealth could expose them to Iranian defenses.The escorts in Lincoln's battle group all can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles. Trump twice in his presidency has ordered Navy warships to conduct limited missiles strikes, both times targeting Syria's chemical-weapons infrastructure.
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| Health care question divides Democratic field Posted: 26 Jun 2019 07:54 PM PDT  During Wednesday evening's Democratic presidential debate, a question asking which candidates would support eliminating private health insurance marked the first apparent policy difference among the contenders.
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| Eyewitness This: Target offers discounts for teachers, Arby's 'megetables' made of meat, teen catches toddler after 2-story fall Posted: 27 Jun 2019 09:52 AM PDT  Target is set to offer big discounts for teachers. Arby's makes 'carrots' out of turkey meat. Plus, new heart-stopping video shows a teenager catching a toddler after she fell from a second-floor apartment in Turkey.
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| Prynt’s crazy iPhone photo printer doesn’t even need ink to print Posted: 26 Jun 2019 03:04 PM PDT ![Prynt's crazy iPhone photo printer doesn't even need ink to print]( "Prynt's crazy iPhone photo printer doesn't even need ink to print") The Prynt Pocket Instant Photo Printer for iPhone has to be one of the coolest things we've come across in quite some time. Remember how old Kodak instant cameras would print photos without the need for ink, since the film itself would show the image after a minute or so? Well the Prynt mobile printer works in the same way, using "ZINK" (zero ink) sticker paper to print photos in about 30 seconds without the need for ink. You can print from your camera roll using this awesome printer attachment, or even from Instagram! Definitely check it out.Here's more info from the product page: * Turn your iPhone into an instant camera ½ the size of the Original Prynt case, with an easy-to-remove paper cartridge * Print photos from your phone (even Instagram), or take new ones- printed in 30 seconds * Add a video to your Prynt and watch it come to Life with the app * No Ink necessary- photos are printed directly onto zink (zero Ink) sticker paper- the only photo paper compatible with Prynt pocket * Peel off the adhesive backing to turn any photo into a sticker! Compatible with the Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5
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| Pier 1 Imports plans to close 57 stores, and more closures could be coming, interim CEO says Posted: 26 Jun 2019 11:13 PM PDT  Pier 1 Imports is increasing the number of stores expected to shutter this year. The Texas-based home goods retailer is looking to close 57 stores.
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| Tesla's senior production executive at Fremont facility quits - source Posted: 26 Jun 2019 12:46 PM PDT  Hochholdinger, a former production executive at Volkswagen AG, is the latest high-profile executive to leave Tesla in the past two years as the automaker struggles to ramp up production of Model 3, which is seen as crucial for its long-term profitability. At Volkswagen, Hochholdinger spent 22 years supervising the production of Audi A4, A5 and Q5 models. Both Tesla and Hochholdinger did not respond to requests for comment.
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