| Top US envoy in fight against IS group resigns: official Posted: 22 Dec 2018 10:16 AM PST  Brett McGurk, the special US envoy to the coalition fighting the Islamic State group, has resigned, a State Department official said Saturday. Just last week McGurk, a Barack Obama appointee who Trump kept on, said "nobody is declaring a mission accomplished" in the battle against IS -- just days before the president's stunning announcement of victory against the jihadist movement.
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| As Syria war winds down, refugees stay put despite hardships Posted: 23 Dec 2018 04:17 AM PST  SIDON, Lebanon (AP) — Rozan Qarqour lives with her husband and six children in a tiny room in an unfinished building, where they share a bathroom with other Syrian refugees. Her husband sells paper cups of cardamom-flavored Arabic coffee on the streets of the Lebanese port city of Sidon to earn a few dollars to buy bread and vegetables.
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| Pair freed without charge in London airport drones probe Posted: 23 Dec 2018 08:09 AM PST  A man and a woman arrested over the drone disruption that brought Christmas getaway flights to a standstill at London's Gatwick Airport were released without charge on Sunday, police said. A 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman from the town of Crawley, near Britain's second-busiest airport, were arrested on Saturday. "Both people have fully co-operated with our enquiries and I am satisfied that they are no longer suspects in the drone incidents at Gatwick," Sussex Police detective chief superintendent Jason Tingley said in a statement.
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| The 8 Best Buildings Completed in 2018 Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:18 AM PST |
| Here's How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Holiday Travel Plans Posted: 21 Dec 2018 01:51 PM PST  Here's what you should know about how a government shutdown may affect your holiday travel
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| Guyana condemns 'hostile act' by Venezuela in local waters Posted: 23 Dec 2018 06:42 AM PST ![Guyana condemns 'hostile act' by Venezuela in local waters]( "Guyana condemns 'hostile act' by Venezuela in local waters") GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana's foreign ministry has condemned what it says was a dangerous incursion into local waters after a Norwegian ship hired by ExxonMobil was "intercepted" by a Venezuelan naval vessel.
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| Senator Graham calls for hearings on troops in Syria, Afghanistan Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:19 AM PST  Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday called for immediate U.S. Senate hearings on President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all American troops from Syria, which prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters he wanted to hear directly from Mattis at any hearing. Mattis announced plans on Thursday to depart in a candid resignation letter to Trump that laid bare the growing divide between them.
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| Mega Millions drawing on Christmas Day will be for $321 million jackpot Posted: 22 Dec 2018 06:22 PM PST  Millions of people will be competing for a whopper of a Christmas present this year: The next Mega Millions drawing falls on Dec. 25.
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| Policía de Alabama responsabiliza del aumento de homicidios a Satanás Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:58 AM PST  A small-town Alabama police department this week alleged Beelzebub is
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| Brazil court overrules injunction on Boeing-Embraer tie-up Posted: 22 Dec 2018 05:40 AM PST  A Brazilian court on Saturday shot down a fresh injunction by a judge over a plan by planemakers Boeing of the US and Embraer of Brazil to create a $5.26-billion joint venture, Brazil's state news agency said. It was the second time this month an appeals court has overruled decisions by a Sao Paulo judge, Victorio Guizio Neto, seeking to temporarily block the deal. The higher court said Saturday it was not up to Guizio Neto to decide the future of the proposed joint venture, noting that the Brazilian government held a "golden share" in Embraer that allowed it to veto strategic decisions if it wished, according to state news agency Agencia Brasil.
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| Glendale hit-and-run: Surveillance video shows moments before fatal crash Posted: 22 Dec 2018 08:16 PM PST  New surveillance video was released Saturday of the moments before a 72-year-old woman was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash in Glendale.
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| There are so many great Philips Hue deals that’ll still arrive before Christmas Posted: 22 Dec 2018 06:05 AM PST ![There are so many great Philips Hue deals that'll still arrive before Christmas]( "There are so many great Philips Hue deals that'll still arrive before Christmas") Philips Hue smart LED lighting products are always best-sellers during the holiday shopping season, and the reasons for that isn't exactly a mystery. Philips Hue is super popular, and it's also a super expensive brand so people jump at the opportunity to save. One such opportunity is happening right now on Amazon, and the best part is all the products on sale will be delivered in time to give as Christmas gifts! That includes Philips Hue Single Premium A19 Smart Bulbs, Philips Hue White A19 4-Packs, the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance LightStrip Plus, and even more. Check out all the deals below. ## Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance LightStrip Plus Dimmable LED Smart Light * MAXIMUM COMPATIBILITY: Pair your Hue smart bulbs with any voice or Smart Home assistant (Hub required and included). Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Microsoft Cortana, SmartThings, IFTTT. * HASSLE-FREE CONNECTIVITY: Smart Lights that won't clog up your Wi-Fi network. Control up to 50 Hue lights on one Hue Hub without adding a Wi-Fi extender or extra router * HOW TO USE: Install the flexible 80-inch LightStrip under bars, bed frames, or cabinets, with included adhesive tape. Trim it to the perfect size with the included cut marks. Extend your Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus up to 33 feet by adding the 40 inch Hue Lightstrip Extension to cover larger surfaces and enable wider applications" * ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE: Sync your Hue lights with Gaming, Music and Movies using your PC via the Hue Sync app * NEXT-LEVEL AUTOMATION: Hue is a Smart Lighting system that remembers your light routines and timers, even when your Wi-Fi goes down * CONTROL LIGHTING FROM ANYWHERE: Take your Smart Light control using your mobile device with you when you travel. Control lights, edit routines and set timers even when you're away from home * INDUSTRY STANDARD: Philips Hue is the only smart lighting product with Energy Star certification and its smart light bulbs last up to 22 years. * LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Philips Hue works with the most Voice Assistant and Premium smart home brands. Connect your Hue lights with Nest, Logitech, Razer Gaming, and Xfinity (download for free on Meethue) ## Philips Hue Single Premium A19 Color Smart Bulb * Works with Alexa for voice control (hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately) * Choose from 16 million colors to instantly change the look and atmosphere of your room or control your lights with your Voice device. Requiring the Hue hub (sold separately) for the full Hue experience * Voice control: Control your Philips Hue lights with your voice using Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. Pair it for home automation with your existing Nest or Samsung SmartThings system * To install, simply screw in the smart bulbs into your desired light location, download the Hue mobile app and pair your Hue Hub. Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App. Ideal for your favorite ceiling fan lights, floor lamps, table lamps, pendant lights, and more throughout your home * Easily expand your lighting system with accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor. Lifespan : 25,000 Hours ## Philips Hue White A19 4-Pack * VOICE ACTIVATED: The Philips Hue White Starter Kit works with Alexa for voice control (smart hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately). For the full Hue experience and to take advantage of voice activation purchase the Philips Hue Hub (Model: 458471). Search "Philips Hue Hub" or "B016H0QZ7I" to find this product on Amazon. * LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Add additional Smart light points to your smart home and expand your Philips Hue ecosystem with this 4-bulb White Smart Bulb pack. Requires the Philips Hue Hub for full experience, sold separately. * TAKE CONTROL: Turn smart lights on/off, dim to the desired level and set up schedules from wherever you have WiFi connection using the Philips Hue App (iOS and Android). Control your Philips Hue lights with your voice using Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. * EASY INSTALLATION: To install the Philips Hue white 4 pack starter kit, simply screw the smart bulbs into your desired light location, download the Hue mobile app and pair your Hue Bridge (sold separately). Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App. * EXPAND YOUR SMART HOME: Connect the smart bulbs directly to your other Smart Home Devices like Amazon Echo Plus, Nest, or SmartThings systems. Easily expand your smart lighting system with accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor ## Philips Hue 2-Pack Premium Smart Light Starter Kit * LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance 2- Pack Smart Bulb Kit lets you choose from 16 million colors and shades of white to turn your everyday lighting into an extraordinary experience. These color lights are controlled remotely with your smartphone or tablet, create custom scenes and unleash your creativity. This is the perfect way to personalize your smart home. * VOICE ACTIVATED: Works with Alexa for voice control (smart hub required and included, Alexa device sold separately). * LASTS A LIFETIME: Lasts 25,000 hours or 23 years with normal use. To install, simply screw in the smart bulbs into your desired smart lighting location, download the hue mobile app and pair your smart hub. Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead smart lights via the Philips hue app. Ideal for your favorite Ceiling Fan lights, floor lamps, table lamps, Pendant lights, and more throughout your smart home. * EXPAND YOUR SMART HOME: Easily expand your smart lighting system with alexa-enabled accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor. * COMPLETE PACKAGE: Comes with 2 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 60W Energy Star Certified LED Smart Bulbs (able to fit most lamps, overhead lights, and 4-inch recessed cans), Philips hue hub and three-year warranty for the ultimate Philips Hue Smart Lighting experience. ## Philips Hue Single Premium Flood Smart Bulb * Works with Alexa for voice control (hub required, Alexa device and hub sold separately). For the full Hue experience and to take advantage of voice activation purchase the Philips Hue Hub (Model: 458471). Search "Philips Hue Hub" or "B016H0QZ7I" to find this product on Amazon. * LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES: Choose from 16 million colors to instantly change the look and atmosphere of your smart home or control your lights with your Voice. Requiring the Philips Hue Hub (sold separately) for the full Hue experience. Designed to fit 5-6 inch recessed cans. * SMART VOICE CONTROL: Control your Philips Hue smart lights with your voice using Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. Pair it for home automation with your existing Nest or Samsung SmartThings system. * EASY INSTALLATION: To install, simply screw the smart bulbs into your desired light location, download the Hue mobile app and pair your Hue Hub. Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App. * EXPAND YOUR SMART HOME: Easily expand your smart lighting system with alexa, google home, and apple homekit-compatible accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor.
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| How the government shutdown impacts the weather industry Posted: 22 Dec 2018 06:50 AM PST  The shutdown forces several federal agencies to cease operations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA.
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| ExxonMobil ship approached by Venezuelan navy off Guyana Posted: 22 Dec 2018 02:27 PM PST ![ExxonMobil ship approached by Venezuelan navy off Guyana]( "ExxonMobil ship approached by Venezuelan navy off Guyana") GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A ship hired by ExxonMobil was approached by a Venezuelan naval vessel off the coast of Guyana, one of the most serious incidents yet in oil-rich waters that Venezuela has long claimed as its own.
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| Chaos at home, fear abroad: Trump unleashed puts western world on edge Posted: 22 Dec 2018 10:00 PM PST  Donald Trump waves as he arrives to speak in Tupelo, Mississippi, in November. The US stumbled into the holiday season with a sense of unravelling, as a large chunk of the federal government ground to a halt, the stock market crashed and the last independently minded, globally respected, major figure left in the administration announced he could no longer work with the president. The defense secretary, James Mattis, handed in his resignation on Thursday, over Donald Trump's abrupt decision to pull US troops out of Syria.
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| More Gatwick Airport chaos: New drone sighting halts flights, again Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:03 AM PST  There's more chaos for holiday travelers at London's Gatwick Airport, where flights have been suspended again on Friday "a "suspected drone sighting."
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| Mother Shot 14-Year-Old Daughter to Death as Teen Called 911, Police Say Posted: 21 Dec 2018 04:38 PM PST  A mother in Washington state is behind bars, accused of shooting and killing her 14-year-old daughter during a domestic dispute.
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| Ottawa seeks help for release of Canadians held in China Posted: 22 Dec 2018 06:00 PM PST  Canada's top diplomat on Saturday called on allies for support in securing the release of Canadians detained in China, noting that the arrests are a "worrying precedent" for the entire international community. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said that China's detention of former diplomat Michael Kovrig and consultant Michael Spavor is "not only a Canadian issue.
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| Roberts, liberal justices snub Trump bid to enforce asylum policy Posted: 21 Dec 2018 05:47 PM PST ![Roberts, liberal justices snub Trump bid to enforce asylum policy]( "Roberts, liberal justices snub Trump bid to enforce asylum policy") The justices on a 5-4 vote rebuffed the administration's bid to put on hold a California-based federal judge's order preventing it from carrying out the policy making anyone crossing the U.S.-Mexican border outside of an official port of entry ineligible for asylum. The planned asylum change was a key component of Trump's hardline policies aimed at making it tougher for immigrants to enter and stay in the United States. Roberts, who last month rebuked Trump over his criticism of the judiciary, joined liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor against the administration.
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| This 1986 Plymouth Reliant turbo wagon is a military-grade rarity Posted: 22 Dec 2018 03:52 AM PST  You couldn't buy a Plymouth Reliant Turbo Station Wagon at a dealership, only being available through military order. Here's a rare chance to own one
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| Stinky feet? These inserts can help and are currently on sale. Posted: 22 Dec 2018 02:00 AM PST  Face it: Those boots you bought this past Black Friday have already begun to smell something fierce thanks to an unholy union of sweat and bacteria. Happens to the best of us, you know. Fortunately, there's a simple remedy to your odor woes in the form of some specially designed shoe inserts called Zorpads. Designed with NASA-tested technology, each pad absorbs the pungent scent of stinky feet to keep your shoes fresh for up to 60 wears. Their sticky bases make them easy to apply, and their compact rectangular shape means they're small enough to fit any shoe — no cutting or trimming required. Plus, they don't make a mess like traditional shoe deodorizers, which tend to come in the form of sprays and powders. Simply stick them in place inside your slippers, sneakers, or sandals, and you've got enough odor-busting power to handle the job. Pop over to the Mashable Shop right now, where you'll find a pack of Zorpads containing five pairs of shoe odor removers on sale for only $19.99 — a savings of 20%. Image: zorpads Zorpads Shoe Odor Remover: 5 Pairs — $19.99 See Details
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| Oil market likely to rebalance early 2019: OPEC ministers Posted: 23 Dec 2018 05:52 AM PST  Oil ministers from leading OPEC nations said Sunday they expect prices will arrest their recent slide and rebalance early next year, when a deal on new production cuts takes effect. Oil prices have shed more than 36 percent since early October to trade at $54 (47 euros) per barrel, due to fears of oversupply and weak global demand. "Based on available figures, we have around 26 million barrels of surplus ... compared to 340 million barrels in early 2017," Mazrouei told a press conference in Kuwait City.
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| A blow to morale: Afghan generals worry about US withdrawal Posted: 21 Dec 2018 06:58 PM PST  ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban welcomed news of the U.S. plan to withdraw half its troops in Afghanistan by the summer, as Afghan generals warned it would be a blow to the morale of the country's beleaguered security forces who come under daily attacks from the insurgent fighters.
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| Gatwick airport reopens after 2 arrested for using drones to disrupt flights Posted: 22 Dec 2018 08:32 AM PST  A 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with drones that forced the shutdown of London's Gatwick airport for two days, affecting 140,000 holiday travelers.
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| Pope urges predator priests to turn themselves in Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:42 AM PST  "To those who abuse minors I would say this: convert and hand yourself over to human justice, and prepare for divine justice," Francis said in his Christmas address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration. This time, he concentrated on the global sexual abuse crisis. When the pope has made similar promises of zero tolerance in the past, victim groups have scoffed, saying the Church has to come up with a clear policy to make bishops themselves accountable for the mishandling of abuse cases.
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| Giving Gift Cards for the Holidays: Pros and Cons Posted: 21 Dec 2018 03:06 PM PST  As the holiday season shifts into high gear, many last-minute shoppers face the great Christmas conundrum: Is a gift card an okay gift to give, or is it viewed as too impersonal, proof of my lack...
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| No signed agreement with US on asylum seekers: Mexico Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:07 AM PST  There is no signed agreement allowing third-country migrants to stay in Mexico while their asylum applications are processed in the United States, Mexico's new foreign minister said Friday. Marcelo Ebrard spoke one day after US Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the Donald Trump administration will send migrants who cross the southern US border back to Mexico while their cases are being heard.
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| The Ford Mustang Mach 1 concept that never was Posted: 22 Dec 2018 01:43 AM PST  Ford created an exciting new concept car for 1966 – the Mustang Mach 1. This handsome GT was well received, but the first design never made it into production. Here's why
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| China national charged with stealing trade secrets: U.S. Justice Dept Posted: 21 Dec 2018 02:32 PM PST ![China national charged with stealing trade secrets: U.S. Justice Dept]( "China national charged with stealing trade secrets: U.S. Justice Dept") The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday a Chinese national had been arrested for stealing trade secrets from a U.S.-based petroleum company, his employer, related to a product worth more than $1 billion. The department alleged Hongjin Tan downloaded hundreds of files related to the manufacture of a "research and development downstream energy market product," which he planned to use to benefit a company in China that had offered him a job. Tan's LinkedIn page said he has worked as a staff scientist for Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, since May 2017.
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| Pros and Cons to Buying Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC) Stock Posted: 21 Dec 2018 10:40 AM PST ![Pros and Cons to Buying Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC) Stock]( "Pros and Cons to Buying Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC) Stock") Honda Motor Co (NYSE: HMC) didn't start out as a car company, but it's sure come a long way from the early days, when it sold motorized bikes back in 1946. Company founder Soichiro Honda did so well in the bike business he decided to expand his company, calling it the Honda Motor Co. when it rolled out in 1948. Thirty-four years later, Honda was doing so well it became the first foreign car maker to build a vehicle in the U.S. (the Honda Accord), and has gone to sell cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, mountain bikes and even solar powered cells.
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| This cat loves to get wrapped for Christmas Posted: 21 Dec 2018 06:16 PM PST  This would be the greatest gift ever!
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| US report finds no direct foreign interference in 2018 vote Posted: 21 Dec 2018 03:41 PM PST ![US report finds no direct foreign interference in 2018 vote]( "US report finds no direct foreign interference in 2018 vote") Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said Friday that his agency has not found any evidence of any direct interference in the midterm elections.
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| Priest named in Pennsylvania church sex abuse probe jailed Posted: 21 Dec 2018 12:17 PM PST  A Roman Catholic priest on Friday became the first person sentenced to prison as a result of a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation that found hundreds of clergy had abused children over seven decades.
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| AT&T will soon put a misleading ‘5G E’ logo on 4G Android devices Posted: 21 Dec 2018 01:41 PM PST ![AT&T will soon put a misleading '5G E' logo on 4G Android devices]( "AT&T will soon put a misleading '5G E' logo on 4G Android devices") For anyone who thinks the smartphone market is saturated with devices that are virtually indistinguishable from each other, there's good news on the horizon. 5G is on the way and will eventually offer up mind-blowing data speeds that will make you wonder how you ever lived without it. A number of carriers are rolling out 5G networks but you'll have to wait a while until 5G-equipped smartphones are available for purchase. Further, there's a good chance you'll have to wait until 5G coverage is expansive enough as to make spending extra cash on a 5G smartphone worth it. In the interim, a report from FierceWireless relays that AT&T will be replacing the LTE indicator on its smartphones with a 5G E symbol in markets that support the latest and fastest LTE technologies. The 'E' stands for Evolution and is available in 99 markets across the country and will expand to include 400 markets before 2019. AT&T notes that 5G E enables "peak theoretical wireless speeds for capable devices of at least 400 megabits per second." Is this a tad misleading? Of course, but carriers certainly aren't strangers to fudging the truth on matters like this. In response to a question about the move from FierceWireless, an AT&T spokesperson said the following: > If they have one of the latest Android devices and it connects to a tower that's enabled with 5G Evolution, they'll soon see a "5G E" indicator pop up on their screen. Initially we'll roll this out on a handful of devices, with more devices showing the indicator in spring 2019. While the boost from 5G E appears substantial, it still seems disingenuous for AT&T to pull this kind of stunt. Incidentally, AT&T launched its 5G mobile network this week, though it's currently limited to the following cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Louisville, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Raleigh, San Antonio and Waco, Texas. During the first half of 2019, 5G support will expand to these additional 7 cities: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.
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| Russian fighter jets land in Crimea amid Ukraine tensions Posted: 22 Dec 2018 04:08 AM PST ![Russian fighter jets land in Crimea amid Ukraine tensions]( "Russian fighter jets land in Crimea amid Ukraine tensions") More than a dozen SU-27 and SU-30 fighter jets which Russia is deploying to boost its air force, amid heightened tensions with Ukraine, arrived in Crimea on Saturday. A Reuters witness saw the jets land at Belbek air base in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014 after Moscow-leaning Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich fled Kiev following street clashes and violent protests.
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| Uranus is weird and researchers think a giant collision caused it Posted: 22 Dec 2018 07:35 AM PST  Uranus has always been a bit of an oddball in our solar system and a new simulation presented by a group of researchers might explain why. Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, is a peculiar ice giant that is tilted at a 98-degree angle — while every other planet spins on a vertical axis in relation to its orbit, Uranus spins on a horizontal axis. Researchers suggest that this may have been caused by a massive collision. SEE ALSO: Moody photo from Mars shows a giant crater loaded with ice Jacob Kegerreis, a PhD researcher at Durham University, presented the analysis that a huge rock, possibly the size of a small planet, collided with Uranus, causing it to tilt dramatically, affecting its spin, its magnetic field, and even its heat distribution. Kegerreis and his fellow researchers created a high-resolution simulation to show exactly what this would have looked like 3 to 4 billion years ago. The impact would have been catastrophic. Along with affecting the planet's tilt, the impact event may have also spurred on the development of Uranus's thick icy outer layer, which keeps the heat from planet's core locked inside. Uranus is the only planet in our solar system that doesn't leak heat from its core, reaching temperatures of -371 degrees Fahrenheit at some of its chilliest points. The impact likely caused Uranus's larger moons and rings, which orbit in line with its rotation, to gain their unique path as well. There is still quite a bit to learn about Uranus, considering only one probe has taken a close look at the planet, and that was the Voyager 2 in 1986. WATCH: Virgin Galactic reaches the edge of space
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| Best Treadmills of 2018 Posted: 22 Dec 2018 03:00 AM PST  Treadmills are a big investment but can pay off in the long run. Our recommended models start at just $900, and a budget folding treadmill with a reasonable rating can be had for closer to $600....
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| 2018's white Christmas restricted to the Northeast, Upper Midwest and mountainous West Posted: 23 Dec 2018 07:29 AM PST  Those hoping for a white Christmas this year may be disappointed unless they live in the northern tier of the country or in the higher elevations.
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| Princess Eugenie on how she came to be ‘very proud’ of her scoliosis scar Posted: 21 Dec 2018 02:00 PM PST  Christmas Charity Appeal 2018 banner When the world watched Princess Eugenie walk down the aisle of St George's Chapel in October, they bore witness to more than just a love story. As the bride made her way towards her fiance, Jack Brooksbank, she was also making a powerful statement with each step. Her Christopher de Vos and Peter Pilotto gown, with its folded neckline and full skirt, had been deliberately designed with an open back in the shape of a deep-V to show off, rather than hide, a scar as thick as a piece of string which runs neatly down her spine. Many may not have noticed the slightly pinker ridge of skin, nor perhaps would I, had I not known that the Princess, now 28, was diagnosed with scoliosis aged 11, as I had also been. But it was only on her wedding day that it really became clear how much the princess's young life had been affected by her condition, both physically and emotionally. "I believe scars are like memories that tell a story on your body, that remind you how strong you had to be, and that you survived to talk about it," Princess Eugenie tells me in her first interview about her condition since her wedding day. Changing Faces | How to help "Your scars are a way of communicating, and sharing a trauma can be healing in so many ways. It can release that stigma you might have given to yourself and by talking about it you can show people how they can heal, too." Scoliosis is a painful condition that causes the spine to curve to the side at a significant degree. In eight out of 10 cases, the cause is unknown, but it is thought that three in every 1,000 children require treatment for the condition, which most commonly affects those between the ages of 10 and 15. Treatment can be twofold: patients either wear a brace until they stop growing or undergo invasive surgery, where the spine is broken and set straight. The latter can take months to recover from, with the person effectively learning to walk again. Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank, leaving St George's Chapel, Windsor Credit: Getty Images Europe At the time of her operation when she was 12 years old, Buckingham Palace described the planned surgery as something routine and "minor". However, being in the same school year as Eugenie and battling the condition myself, I was paying more attention than most. While I spent my whole teenage years scared into submission by wearing a back brace, worried that if I failed to complete my treatment I would be cut open and put back together with a "nasty scar" to prove it, Eugenie went ahead and had the operation which she knew would mark her for life. While I strapped myself into the plastic device, which rubbed my hips until they blistered and left me tossing and turning during sleepless nights until I trained myself to rest entirely still, the Princess was undergoing her own torment. Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in October at a star studded wedding Credit: Reuters The Palace may have downplayed her surgery, but while most young girls were enjoying the freedom years of their childhood, Eugenie was undergoing treatment so severe, it would effectively see her life being put on hold. The reality of what 11-year-old Princess Eugenie was about to endure would have been unimaginable compared to the enchanted life she had until then led. Growing up in the Grade II listed Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, playdates consisted of running around with her cousins Prince William and Harry and her older sister, Princess Beatrice, whom she has always had a close bond. Eugenie was sent to the best schools in the country, took ski holidays in Verbier, travelled the world on royal engagements and even when her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, divorced, the two stayed remarkably close. Yet beneath all of this fortune were bleak times, with the age of 12 marking the turning point from her life going from one little girls dream of to undergoing an eight-hour operation in which her back was rebuilt with titanium rods. The scar, as a result, was prominent. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's royal wedding, in pictures Yet it was not so much the scar itself that phased her – she tells me hers "has always been a point of pride" – but more having to make sense of the fact she was going to lead a very different life to the one she had previously known. There would be a long recovery period, where playing outside with friends and even, simply, moving, would be halted. "I don't think I actually thought: 'Oh, I will have a scar'," she says. "I was only 11 years old when I was told I needed surgery and that bombshell left me reeling, as well as the idea that I would not be at school, or be normal like the other students." In her early years, Eugenie was educated in and around the Windsor area, both at Upton House School, Coworth Park School and St George's School, which has a view of Windsor Castle – the idea of not being able to attend as she recovered affected her deeply. "There are so many emotions and worries that go thundering through your head," she recalls, having wondered: "Will I be able to play sports, or will I look the same, or will I miss a lot of school and be behind?" "I think the most upsetting time was before the operation – the fear of the unknown and having a condition that made me different. Afterwards, I couldn't move for a while in hospital or when I came home. I had to wear a neck brace and be moved very gently in bed for a few months. That was very frustrating and I remember being angry about not being able to run and play." Eugenie "went back to school eventually", but says: "It was upsetting not to be able to do the normal things I loved but in terms of the condition – I always believed that if doctors and parents are telling you that you will be OK, as a young person, you have total faith in that, and they were right." It has not always been the case that Eugenie, now a patron of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, has been so open about her condition. I can empathise. As a teenager, I did everything in my power to hide my brace, which was no mean feat given how bulky it was. I would be mortified if someone who didn't already know about my condition asked why I sat bolt upright or questioned the "thing" that stuck out the top of my school jumper. I did not want to admit there was something "different" about me. For the Princess, at least in the beginning, she was "very closed" about her scar. "But as I got older, I became very proud to show it to people who were going through the same thing," she says. "I remember going back to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and showing a little girl who couldn't yet sit up from her operation. Her eyes grew so big and eventually a huge smile lit up her face when she saw I had such a big scar and was standing up tall in front of her." Her mother instilled a huge sense of pride in her daughter regarding her surgery; in true Fergie style, turning something potentially harrowing into a hugely positive experience. "I do believe the people around you also help to take away the stigma," she says, adding that upon meeting other scoliosis sufferers, her mother "was amazing at saying: 'Eugenie had the same operation and look at her scar and how she stands now.' "It made me realise that I can help others by showing it, and that there didn't need to be a scared, embarrassed girl standing alone." Her words echo much of the work done by Changing Faces, one of the charities the Daily Telegraph is supporting in its Christmas appeal. Founded in 1992, it supports those who have a visible difference to their face, hands or body, whether present from birth or otherwise. Eugenie says she "always believed that if doctors and parents are telling you that you will be ok, as a young person, you have total faith in that, and they were right". Credit: David M. Benett While Eugenie has taken so much of her experience in her stride, it has not always been plain sailing. "Time is such an amazing healer, and you learn to live a certain way over the years," she explains. "Not necessarily hindering the way you live, but just being more aware of what you do or how you move. I remember putting cream only on my scar for years after the operation. There was an unexplainable feeling – like a kind of emptiness." But now that scar is a symbol of something far greater. When meeting with her wedding dress designers, Eugenie specified that it was to be seen. "After one or two initial meetings where I said I wanted to show my back and scar, we had a fitting and in their first attempt at the shape and design of the dress, they got me and the vision in one," she recalls. "From there, we realised that the back of the dress was the centre point and a veil would take away from the scar and the beautiful design they had created." The morning Princess Eugenie stepped out of the 1977 Rolls Royce Phantom VI back on October 12, her scar proudly on display, an important message was sent to young people everywhere growing up with some form of disfigurement. The moment that I saw her myself, proudly displaying the mark of what she had been through, I couldn't believe how wrong I had been opting for my uncomfortable brace, believing surgery would leave me with something uglier. With the rise of Instagram and social media, though, young women have never been under so much pressure to look perfect, and it is more difficult than ever for those who don't. The Princess agrees. "I think it's hard to define exactly why there is pressure to look a certain way. I'm sure there are countless young girls going through that pressure right now, and all I would say is you are amazing as you are. You are defined by your heart and soul, not by the way you look." This is the exact sentiment we should be encouraging. Our bodies are not perfect but, as the Princess has shown, things that may once have caused us pain can be turned into a force for good. Her message remains simple: "Be proud of the story you can tell and inspire people with." Newsletter Promotion - Royal Appointment - in article "I have loved being able to see smiles on young people's faces when I showed mine and knowing they have found some comfort in my story is pretty cool." Changing Faces is one of the Telegraph's three chosen charities for our 2018 Christmas appeal. For details of how to donate, please call our charity phone line on 0151 284 1927 or visit telegraph.ctdonate.org
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| Trump's foreign policy in spotlight after military withdrawals Posted: 21 Dec 2018 12:20 PM PST  US politicians and international allies scrambled Friday to make sense of President Donald Trump's momentous foreign policy decisions for Syria and Afghanistan -- epic reversals that prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to quit. Trump's historic moves to pull out of Syria and slash troop numbers in Afghanistan run counter to years of US doctrine in the region, and set the stage for a cascading series of events that could well result in more bloodshed across a scarred region. While many Americans -- and not just his supporters -- lauded Trump's decision, fed up after years of costly and spiraling conflicts, politicians of every stripe were tripping over each other to voice their condemnation.
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| UBS to pay US states $68M in rate manipulation settlement Posted: 21 Dec 2018 01:38 PM PST ![UBS to pay US states $68M in rate manipulation settlement]( "UBS to pay US states $68M in rate manipulation settlement") HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Swiss bank UBS has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a multistate investigation into the bank's role in manipulating an interest rate used to price everything from credit cards to mortgages, officials said Friday.
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| Canada demands China release Canadians for the first time Posted: 21 Dec 2018 06:22 PM PST  TORONTO (AP) — Canada moved away from diplomatic caution on Friday and made its first formal demand for China to immediately release two Canadians who have been detained in apparent retaliation for Canada's arrest of a top Chinese tech executive.
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| Dozens of bodies 'found in IS mass grave' in Iraq Posted: 21 Dec 2018 11:23 AM PST  Iraqi authorities said they uncovered a new mass grave containing the remains of dozens of people in an area of northern Kirkuk province once held by the Islamic State group. Security forces have discovered dozens of mass graves since they drove out IS in 2017 after three years of occupation of swathes of northern and western Iraq. The United Nations said in November that more than 200 mass graves containing up to 12,000 victims had been found in Iraq that could hold vital evidence of war crimes by the jihadists.
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