Oklahoma City

U.S. Sending 1,500 More Troops to Middle East amid Iran Tensions

President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. will send about 1,500 more troops to the Middle East to play a “mostly protective” role, amid escalating tensions with Iran."We want to have protection," Trump said at the White House as he left for Japan. "Some very talented people are going to the Middle East right now and we'll see what happens."About 1,000 troops will be sent to the region and close to 600 will have their deployments in the Middle East extended, according to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Rear Admiral Michael Gilday."The Iranians have said publicly they were going to do things," Gilday said. "We learned through intelligence reporting they have acted upon those threats and they have actually attacked."The Pentagon will also send a Patriot anti-missile battalion, a fighter-aircraft squadron, engineers, and more intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft.Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said U.S. Central Command had requested the additional troops and that they are intended to “improve our force protection and safeguard U.S. forces given the ongoing threat posed by Iranian forces, including the IRGC [Iran's Revolutionary Guard] and its proxies.”"In my capacity, the most difficult decision is authorizing a mission that I know puts the men and women of our Armed forces in harm's way," Shanahan said during his address at the U.S. Naval Academy's commencement ceremony. "I will continue to give those orders, but only when absolutely necessary."The Trump administration deployed four bombers as well as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier-strike group to the Persian Gulf earlier this month amid fears that Iran was transporting short-range ballistic missiles in the region. The U.S. currently has about 5,200 troops in Iraq and 2,000 in Syria.Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have intensified since April, when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced an end to the exemptions from U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and gas that eight countries had been granted.“If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Utah climber, 4 others die on Mount Everest

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An American climber who fulfilled his dream of climbing the highest mountains on each of the seven continents died of probable altitude sickness on the way down from Mount Everest, mountaineering officials said.

Abortion rights groups sue to block Alabama's near-total ban

The near-total abortion ban in Alabama is scheduled to go into effect in November, but Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are suing to block it.

'I Will Always Have My Freedom and He Will Not.' Read Jayme Closs' Defiant Statement at Kidnapper's Sentencing

“He should stay locked up forever.”

Man lights cigarette on Spirit Airlines flight in startling viral footage

Wild footage from a Spirit Airlines flight to Minneapolis, Minnesota, shows apassenger who began smoking mid-flight, breaking one of the cardinal rules ofair travel

Hezbollah warns US plan could naturalise Palestinian diaspora

The head of Lebanon's Shiite movement Hezbollah warned Saturday that a long-delayed US peace plan could see Palestinian refugees permanently settled in host countries across the region. Speaking days after the US announced a May conference in Bahrain to lay out economic aspects of its long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned of an "ominous deal aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause". The right of return for more than 700,000 refugees who were expelled or fled during the creation of the State of Israel in the late 1940s -- and their millions of descendants -- is a key pillar of the Palestinian cause.

Scouted: Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale is Here With Up to 50% Off Hundreds of Styles

Bi-annually, Nordstrom slashes prices on some of its top sellers. And that time is right now. During the Half Yearly Sale, you can get up to 50% off all of the brands you know and love from Nordstrom, like Madewell, Ted Baker, Cole Haan, Thule, and more. It’s a smorgasbord of style, with up to half-off a ton of clothing, shoes, home goods, and more. The PAIGE Verdugo Crop Skinny Jeans are 50% off and is the perfect denim to wear through the spring and into the summer because it’s lightweight and a light wash. The Topman Triple Stitch Mac Coat is on sale for $72 (40% off) and is a stylish layer you’ll need when those thunderstorms inevitably roll in. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the famously stylish and comfortable Cole Haan ZeroGrand Stitch-lite Wingtip Oxford is on sale for under $100 (40% off). Or upgrade your everyday bag to the sleek, durable Madewell Abroad Tote Bag, made from leather with a zip-top closure that easily fits your laptop (and more), on sale for $119 (40% off). This sale only comes twice a year, so you should probably stock up while you can.Scouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.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.

The Glock 36: A Really Big Gun in a Small Package

Until recently, the most common compact .45 caliber handgun was of a type known as the Officer’s model. A derivative of the 1911A1 Government, in 2011 it was finally superseded by an even lighter pistol—the Glock 36. Chambered in .45 ACP and following the same winning formula as previous Glocks, the model 36 could be the best compact single stack .45 on the market today.The 1911 .45 caliber pistol, designed by John Moses Browning, was one of the most successful pistols of all time. Adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces in time for World War I, it served on through World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the waning years of the Cold War. The slab-sided, all-steel pistol was large, heavy, and imposing, but it was also durable and could last for decades. Colt’s Manufacturing subsequently developed and released a smaller and lighter version, the Colt Commander, but it failed to gain traction to replace the original 1911A1.

2020 Vision: Altered Pelosi videos show the risk of 'deepfakes' in campaign

A doctored viral video showing the House speaker appearing to slur her words has renewed concerns about the spread of manipulated digital content during a sure-to-be-contentious 2020 campaign.

Congregants grapple with church shooter once their colleague

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Minister Joey Spann watched Friday as 27-year-old Emanuel Kidega Samson was convicted of first-degree murder for killing one person and wounding seven others when he sprayed Spann's church and its congregants with bullets in 2017.

Rape and incest account for hardly any abortions. So why are they now a focus?

Just 1% of women obtain an abortion because they became pregnant through rape, and less than 0.5% do so because of incest.

Facebook accused of leaving 'broken children' in wake of its commercial aims, abuse inquiry hears

Facebook has been accused of leaving 'broken children' as collateral damage in the wake of their commercial aims, the child sex abuse inquiry has heard. Barrister William Chapman, representing the victims of abuse at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), said social media companies were not preventing paedophiles reaching children as it was “contrary to their business model” and that their apps needed to be “fundamentally redesigned”. Police also warned that tech firms were going ahead with plans to encrypt more features "in the certain knowledge" it would lead to more children being abused. The warnings came as the inquiry’s hearing into online child abuse drew to a close yesterday. Over the last fortnight IICSA has heard evidence from Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Google about their efforts to combat child abuse online. Giving his closing statement, Mr Chapman singled out Facebook as the “unacceptable face of social media”, citing that over half of reported grooming offences in 2017 and 2018 related to the company or its Instagram and WhatsApp apps. William Chapman giving his closing address to the inquiry He said that social networks scanned for evidence of abuse after it happened and that they now needed to change their business model to stop abusers easily contacting children. Mr Chapman said: “What they will not do, because it is contrary to their business model, is to restrict the opportunities for abuse before it takes place.” He added: “They leave behind broken children like so much collateral damage. “Money, they say, is no object but none you heard from has a dedicated budget to tackling this problem.” Among the recommendations being made to the inquiry on behalf of victims are for tech companies pay compensation to those abused via their services and that a new criminal offence be made of posing online as a child online without a reasonable excuse. Mr Chapman also accused tech companies of not giving the inquiry a “straight answer” about the scale of abuse on their sites and selectively releasing figures without context. Earlier in the hearing Microsoft failed to provide figures for how many children had been groomed on its live chat services Xbox Live and Skype and Facebook was similarly unable to say how many registered sex offenders had been caught using its services. “It is not acceptable to hide the extent of the problem on your platform in a black box out of which you prick pinholes for others to see only hints of the full horror within," said Mr Chapman. Later in the hearing, Debra Powell QC, speaking for the National Police Chiefs Council, warned that tech giants' plans to make ever more services encrypted would lead to more children being abused. Last month Facebook announced plans to add end-to-end encryption to its 1.3 billion-user Messenger service, meaning not even it will be able to see the content of messages. Ms Powell said: “Currently many technology companies are building in and offering to their users ever greater privacy protections, including end-to-end encryption, in the certain knowledge that this will make the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation more difficult. “The inevitable result must be that more children will be abused and exploited and that their ordeals will go on for longer before the perpetrators can be caught, if they are caught at all.”

Baghdad offers to mediate with US as Iran's FM visits Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's parliament speaker said Saturday that Baghdad is ready to mediate between the United States and Iran if it is asked to do so.

Scouted: The 10 Best Memorial Day Mattress Sales, According to Experts

Memorial Day Weekend is famous for the many mattress sales it surfaces — and this year is no exception. To help you sift through all of your options, we teamed up with the expert reviewers over at Mattress Advisor to help us break down each of the best mattress deals around right now. Using a 6-point testing procedure and 8-point evaluation* in their Mattress Lab for every single mattress, they gave us some tips on what Scouted readers should know and keep in mind as they’re shopping this Memorial Day weekend for the greatest savings and highest quality mattress. Below we put together each of the sales with how much you’ll be saving, the codes you need to use for discounts, and insights into the mattresses themselves. Save up to $200 on mattresses at HelixSave up to $200 on mattresses at Helix: Use code MDW100 to get $100 off and two free Dream Pillows with any mattress purchase. Use code MDW150 to get $150 off any order of $1,250 and up (and get the free pillows). Use code MDW200 to get $200 off any order of $1,750 and up (and yes, free pillows). Here’s why the Mattress Advisor reviewers scored the Helix Midnight mattress 8.9 out of 10: “Helix is the perfect solution for couples. If you’re sharing your bed with a sleeping partner, you have the option to choose a dual comfort mattress (which personalizes each side of the bed based on test results). Are you a hot sleeper? If so, you can upgrade the outer cover of your Helix mattress to the Ultra-Cool knit cover to keep you from waking up in those midnight sweats.” Get up to 25% off sitewide at Brooklyn BeddingGet up to 25% off sitewide at Brooklyn Bedding: Use code MEMORIAL25. MA reviewers scored the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Mattress 8.9: “Brooklyn Bedding mattresses are the real deal — they're made with quality materials and built to last. The Aurora is available in three firmness levels to provide a personalized level of comfort and support. This mattress is one of the coolest (temperature wise) mattresses we have ever had in the Mattress Lab. Even weeks after unboxing, it was still cool to the touch. Even though Brooklyn Bedding has retail locations, they still own the manufacturing process from start to finish and sell their mattresses directly to customers.”I’ve Been Sleeping on Brooklyn Bedding’s Hybrid Mattress for a Month. It’s the Best Sleep I’ve Ever Had.Get $125 off mattresses and two free pillows at NectarGet $125 off mattresses and two free pillows at Nectar: “The Nectar is a solid memory foam mattress at an unbeatable price — it's consistently our top recommendation for a best value mattress.” MA reviewers scored Nectar 8.7: “The Nectar mattress has a pretty happy (and well-rested) fan base — they have overwhelmingly positive reviews and fewer than 3% of customers end up returning their Nectar mattress. Nectar’s proprietary cover is specifically designed to keep out dust mites.Nectar is so confident that they make the best mattress for the price that they offer a lifetime warranty and trial period that lasts an entire year.”Save up to $700 on select mattresses and get a $300 gift with any purchase at TEMPUR-PedicSave up to $700 on select mattresses and get a $300 gift with any purchase at TEMPUR-Pedic: “We love the TEMPUR-breeze model — it's a great option for people who sleep hot but still want the contouring support of memory foam.” MA reviewers scored the TEMPUR-breeze  8.2: “The TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze is a slightly plush hybrid mattress made with four layers of foam and coils. It’s designed to offer a cool and breathable sleep surface for people who tend to sleep hot.”Save up to $200 on mattresses at Nest BeddingSave up to $200 on mattresses at Nest Bedding: Use code SUMMERNEST to get $200 off the Alexander Signature Hybrid, the Alexander Signature, and the Hybrid Latex. MA reviewers scored Alexander Signature Hybrid 8.5: “[it’s] made of four premium layers, including foam and pocket coils — which offer great cooling properties, comfort, and edge support.” They add that “another factor to consider is that Nest Bedding offers six different types of mattresses, so if the Alexander Signature Hybrid doesn’t end up working for you, they’ll help you easily exchange it for one of their other mattresses.”Save up to $100 on mattress and get free sheets at PurpleSave up to $100 on mattress and get free sheets at Purple: The MA reviewers told us they have never seen this widespread a sale run at Purple, making it a “rare offer.” MA reviewers scored the Purple Mattress 8.5: “Purple's mattresses are great at cradling pressure points, which is a plus for side sleepers or people who suffer from back and joint pain.” What’s more, they really like that the bed’s “great for pressure relief, motion isolation and natural airflow that keeps you cool.”Scouted readers get $75 off their order at SaatvaScouted readers get $75 off their order at Saatva: “Saatva mattresses are the definition of affordable American luxury. Their beds are handmade with quality, eco-friendly materials.” MA reviewers scored the Saatva Mattress 8.7: “Saatva is one of those mattresses that has all the bells and whistles: It’s customizable, made with quality materials, and it’s eco-friendly (although not 100% green). This mattress is known for having great edge and lumbar support. When you buy a Saatva mattress, you can customize the height, firmness, and size of your mattress, as well as the height of your foundation.”Get 15% off mattresses and two free pillows at LeesaGet 15% off mattresses and two free pillows at Leesa: The Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress is “great for side sleepers because of its pressure-relieving properties” and is “a luxury mattress made with pocket springs and memory foam. It provides the same great pressure relief as the Leesa with some additional bounce.” MA reviewers scored the Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress 9.4: “The Leesa Hybrid mattress is known for its responsive surface and pressure relieving abilities making it a great option for combination sleepers or sleepers with back pain given its pressure relieving abilities. Since the Leesa Hybrid mattress is topped with a layer of foam, you’ll get better motion isolation than a traditional innerspring mattress alone.”Save 20% sitewide and get two free pillows at Bear MattressSave 20% sitewide and get two free pillows at Bear Mattress: Use code MD20. MA reviewers scored the Bear Mattress 8.6: “The Bear Hybrid mattress is a good choice for people who want comfort and support in their mattress.  Bear is a great mattress for athletes or people with active lifestyles because of its pressure relieving properties, cooling properties, and muscle recovery technology.”Get 15% off mattresses and 30% off bedding at Allswell: Use code SUMMER.Get 15% off mattresses and 30% off bedding at Allswell: Use code SUMMER. MA reviewers scored the Luxe Hybrid Mattress 8.6: “Allswell’s Luxe Hybrid mattress is a medium-firm hybrid mattress made with three layers of memory foam and hundreds of individually wrapped coils. With Allswell, you can complete your entire bedding look with curated bedding accessories inspired by well-known interior designers. The products needed to recreate each style will be added to your cart with the click of a button.” Additional mattress sales to check out: * Save up to $700 on mattresses at Mattress Firm * Get $200 off mattresses and free in-home delivery (usually $400) at Eight SleepSleep Tech Now Lets You Regulate Body Temperature While You Sleep With The New Eight Sleep Pod*Learn more about the Mattress Advisor review process and the 6-point testing procedure and 8-point evaluation they conduct in their Mattress Lab for every single mattress.Scouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of salesRead 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.

New drone video shows wide scope of Missouri tornado damage

Drone footage paints an eerie picture of the tornado damage in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Florida state Representative says God has told him to rewrite abortion bill with no exceptions

A Florida state representative told a group that God told him to a rewrite an abortion bill without exceptions for rape or incest.In a speech given to Women for Responsible Legislation group in Pensacola, Florida, state representative Mike Hill said God spoke directly to him about a restrictive abortion bill he had previously tried and failed to pass in Florida’s legislature."As plain as day, God spoke to me,” Mr Hill, a Republican, told the group. “He said 'that wasn't my bill,' talking about the heartbeat detection bill that I filed. He said 'that wasn't my bill.'"“I knew immediately what he was talking about,” the state representative confirmed.The bill which Mr Hill, and, allegedly, God, were referring to would have restricted abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Mr Hill’s proposed version of the ban, which is currently sweeping the nation in various forms, included exceptions for rape, incest, medical emergency, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Mr Hill told the group he included the exception in hopes of getting the bill passed, but the proposed law died before getting a committee hearing, which he lamented was more focused on "health care, transportation, and the Everglades" than his attempt at an abortion ban, according to the Pensacola News Journal.Mr Hill says he’s currently working on a new bill, with outside help."[God] said, 'you remove those exceptions and you file it again.' And I said 'yes Lord, I will'," Mr Hill said. "It's coming back. It's coming back. We are going to file that bill without any exceptions, just like what we saw passed in Alabama."On Friday, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood sued the state of Alabama for its unconstitutional abortion ban. Representatives of the ACLU of Alabama told The Independent on Thursday that they expect the legal fight to take around three years. Abortion remains legal in the state for now.

The Latest: Police defend Facebook likes deal with fugitive

TORRINGTON, Conn. (AP) — The Latest on the Facebook fugitive (all times local):

'Here we go again.' Federal judge blocks Mississippi's 'heartbeat' abortion law

The law would have banned abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat is detected.

French Authorities Investigating Lyon Explosion as Potential Terror Attack

French authorities are treating an explosion in the city of Lyon on Friday evening as a possible terror attack.The explosion of what investigators believe was a parcel bomb filled with screws, nuts, and bolts injured seven people, including an eight-year-old girl, around 5:30 p.m. local time in a busy shopping area on Rue Victor Hugo. No one died in the blast. Authorities are searching for a male cyclist between 30 and 35 who was seen putting the parcel on the street outside a bakery, his face reportedly concealed by a mask and dark glasses.French interior minister Christophe Castaner said security will be upped in public areas. President Emmanuel Macron called the disaster an "attack" and said, "As far as I can say there are no victims — there are wounded.""Tonight I think of the wounded in the explosion in Lyon, their families affected by the violence that has befallen their loved ones in the street, and all of Lyon. We are by your side," Macron wrote on Twitter.Over 250 people have died in France as a result of terrorist attacks in the last four years.

India's battered Congress party closes ranks after election setback

Gandhi, 48 and the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, had been under intense pressure since results released on May 23 showed Congress won only 52 of the 542 seats up for grabs in the country's general election. While that marked a marginal improvement on the party's showing in the 2014 general election, it did not stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from winning a landslide mandate with 303 seats. A second successive drubbing from Modi prompted calls for Gandhi to quit.

Judge: Anheuser-Busch must pull some ads about MillerCoors

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin judge has ordered Anheuser-Busch to stop suggesting in advertising that MillerCoors' light beers contain corn syrup, wading into a fight between two beer giants that are losing market share to small independent brewers.

California man stole money as he broke hearts of women he met online: Police

Police say Wilson Jackson, 37, claimed to be a millionaire on dating sites and social media as he targeted women, saying he wanted a dating relationship.

Is your iPhone 7 battery starting to die? Save $20 on Apple’s official battery case

iPhones have gotten so expensive these days that you would have to be crazy to upgrade any sooner than you need to. Heck, Apple's latest iPhone models cost as much as $1,500! If you still have an iPhone 7, your smartphone has more than enough power to keep using for at least another year. What it might not have, however, is enough battery life to comfortably carry you through a full day. Don't worry, and definitely don't spend $1,000 or more on a new iPhone. Instead, pick up an authentic Apple Smart Battery Case for iPhone 7 on Amazon while they're on sale at a discount!Here are the key details from the product page: * The Smart Battery Case for iPhone 7 gives you extra battery life with the look and protection of an Apple-designed case. * Combined with the Smart Battery Case, iPhone 7 provides up to 22 hours of battery life for browsing the web, up to 24 hours of watching HD video, and 26 hours of talk time. * The Smart Battery Case also works intelligently with your iPhone to charge simultaneously when you're plugged in, so both case and iPhone will have more than enough battery life to get you through the day, and then some. * The soft elastomer hinge and one-piece design make it easy to put the case on and take it off. You can even connect it to any Lightning accessory, such as the Lightning Dock. And iOS 10 or later allows you to see the battery status of your iPhone 7, your Smart Battery Case, and even your Apple Watch, all in one place.

Global court to rule on Russia's detention of Ukrainian sailors

An international tribunal is due to rule Saturday on a dispute over Russia's holding 24 Ukrainian sailors and three naval vessels seized off the Crimea peninsula late last year. Judge Jin-Hyun Paik of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the German port city of Hamburg was scheduled to announce its decision at noon (1000 GMT). The incident in November in the Kerch Strait was the most dangerous direct clash in years between Russia and its ex-Soviet neighbour, which have been locked in conflict for over five years.

Scouted: The Best Memorial Day Tech Deals from Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and More

Memorial Day means one thing: it's basically summer. Okay, two things. There are a ton of really awesome sales happening on all your favorite gear. Here, we've rounded up all the best tech deals that are going on right now and through the long weekend. Check our main post for all the apparel and home goods deals that you won't want to miss. Echo Wall Clock, $25 on AmazonTP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router, $57 on AmazonUp to 40% off computers, TVs, headphones and more from Walmart30% off phone cases and accessories from SpecksSave $79 when you buy a Google Nest Hub and Nest Hello doorbell from Lowe’s Save up to $150 on certified refurbished Sonos products from Sonoseero Home WiFi System, $119 on AmazonAd by HP: Shop the Memorial Day sale to save up to 60%. Highlights: 15t touch optional Pavilion Laptop for $430 (36% off), McAfee’s LiveSafe for $80 (56% off), or the Envy 5055 printer for $60 (50% off). Save on Philips Hue Smart Lights for every room on AmazonWithings / Nokia | Body+ Smart Body Composition Wi-Fi Digital Scale, $79 on AmazonSamsung 55" Class LED NU6900 Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR, $400 from Best BuyLG 65" Class LED UK6090PUA Series 2160p Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR, $450 from Best BuyApple MacBook Air 13.3" 8GB Memory 128GB Flash Storage Space Gray, $950 from Best BuyApple MacBook Air 13.3" 8GB Memory 256GB Flash Storage Silver, $1150 from Best BuyApple iPad with Wi-Fi 32GB Space Gray, $280 from Best BuyApple iPad with Wi-Fi 128GB Space Gray, $330 from Best BuyApple iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular 32GB Space Gray, $410 from Best Buy Apple iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB Space Gray, $460 from Best BuyScouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.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.

Violence and disruption against abortion clinics at highest rates since 1999

Violence and disruption against abortion clinics in the US increased to its highest levels since the 1990s last year, a report by the National Abortion Federation has found.The increase in violence was attributed, at least in part, to president Donald Trump and his administration’s rhetoric.The report noted a significant increase in obstruction, vandalism, and trespassing, with 1,135 incidents of trespassing recorded in 2018 - the most since the NAF began tracking the crime in 1999.There were also 3,038 instances of obstruction, a 78 per cent increase compared to the previous year, and nearly 100,000 instances of picketing.“Anti-choice individuals and groups have been emboldened by the rhetoric of president Trump, vice president Pence, and other elected officials and we are seeing this play out in more instances of activities meant to intimidate abortion providers and disrupt patient services,” said Dr Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, who serves as interim president and CEO of NAF.She added: “Demonising health care providers and women who rely on them for abortion care has become one of the go-to tactics for anti-choice politicians. Those lies have consequences and it is not the anti-choice politicians who are facing those consequences; it is those who are denied abortion care and the providers targeted by threats, harassment, and violence who are. It is time for the demonizing of abortion providers and their patients to end.“Given the political climate and the increase in hate incidents throughout the country, it is more important than ever that law enforcement and prosecutors appropriately respond to anti-abortion criminal activity.”The study did note a decrease in stalking, burglary, assault, and battery against abortion providers.It comes during a fresh wave of anti-abortion legislation such as the Alabama abortion ban, which is currently being contested in a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, and “heartbeat bills” which ban elective abortion after a foetal heartbeat is detectable.As a foetal heartbeat is first detectable at six weeks - a point where many pregnant people may not even know they are pregnant - these initiatives are seen as a back-door abortion ban and are also being contested in court. Politicians in support of banning abortion hope these cases will rise to the Supreme Court of the United States and lead to an overturning of Roe V Wade, which set the precedent for elective abortion until the end of the second trimester in the US.

Is the stock market closed for Memorial Day?

U.S. stock and bond markets are closed on Monday to observe Memorial Day. Foreign financial markets will be open.

The Downfall of Theresa May, the Prime Minister Broken by Brexit

The couple went through to the prime minister’s private study together for a few moments alone. After three years battling the impossible contradictions of Brexit, she was resigning as U.K. prime minister, defeated at last. In truth, they had known a day earlier that there was no hope left, and the prime minister famous for her stubborn resilience would have to resign.

Judge blocks Trump from building sections of border wall

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump from building key sections of his border wall with money secured under his declaration of a national emergency, delivering what may prove a temporary setback on one of his highest priorities.

Best Exterior Paints From Consumer Reports' Tests

Exterior paints have improved significantly in recent years. As a group, they're now more durable and less prone to cracking and fading. But there are still considerable differences among the 15 ...

Nine People Arrested and 50 Kids Rescued After Probe into an International Pedophile Ring

Nine people have been arrested in Thailand, Australia and the U.S. and 50 children were rescued after an investigation into an international paedophile ring.

EU vote faces new covert digital threats: report

New players are exploiting internet lawlessness to disrupt democracy at this week's European elections, says a new report that points a finger at far-right populists and cyber militias. With the vote running from May 23-26, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) investigated the role of covert digital propaganda in Britain, France, Germany, Italy Spain and Poland. "New actors are taking advantage of the lawlessness of the internet, often aligned with hostile states such as Russia, as well as American special interests, but also creating their own, pan-European campaigns," said the report released Friday.

Best Buy just canceled every preorder it took for the Galaxy Fold

It's going to keep getting worse for Samsung before it gets better, as Best Buy confirmed this week that all preorders for the Galaxy Fold have been canceled. This is a drastic step for the retailer to take, but following the catastrophe of the review cycle that preceded the planned April 26th launch date, Samsung had no choice but to delay the phone in order to determine why so many reviewers experienced severe issues with the hardware.Samsung has reportedly made a few significant changes to the Galaxy Fold to rectify the issues that sprang up while members of the media were reviewing the phone, such as attaching the protective film to the body of the phone and shrinking the gaps around the hinge that allowed foreign particles to wreak havoc within.In all likelihood, a new release date is coming in the near future, but Best Buy wasn't going to wait around any longer for an update from Samsung. As a result, anyone who preordered a Galaxy Fold from Best Buy has had their order automatically canceled. You can read the retailer's statement on the matter below:> The Samsung Galaxy Fold has become one of the most curious and highly anticipated devices of 2019\. While it seems like over the last few years the overall design cue of mobile phones has been all about rectangular slabs of metal and plastic with beautiful displays dominating every millimeter of the front, the Fold looked to be different. It is a bold challenge Samsung chose to undertake and one that has provided us with what is arguably one of the most beautiful pieces of mobile engineering in a long time. It has certainly set the precedence for mobile devices for 2019 and beyond.> > However, with breakthrough designs and technology come many hurdles and the possibility to face a plethora of unforeseen hiccups. These hurdles have led Samsung to postpone the release of the Galaxy Fold, and Samsung has not provided a new release date. Because we put our customers first and want to ensure they are taken care of in the best possible manner, Best Buy has decided to cancel all current pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Fold.If, despite all the issues and the extensive delay, you're still interested in picking up Samsung's first foldable phone, you can head to Best Buy's website and hit the Notify Me button. Best Buy will then provide you with any updates it receives on the phone, as well as the date it will finally be available to purchase.

Amazon's Alexa could soon understand requests without initial wakeword

An Amazon patent has been published by the US Patent and Trademark Office describing a system that would allow Alexa to record audio without the utterance of a "wakeword," bringing users a more natural voice assistant experience.

U.S. judge blocks Mississippi 'heartbeat' abortion ban

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, a Republican, signed the so-called "hearbeat bill" into law in March, and the measure had been due to take effect on July 1. Mississippi is one of several states, including Georgia and Alabama, where Republican-controlled legislatures have enacted strict anti-abortion measures this year in direct challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy. Roe held that the due process clause of the 14th Amendment provides a fundamental right to privacy protecting a woman's right to abortion, though it allows states to restrict the procedure from the time a fetus can viably survive outside the womb, which the opinion placed at 24 to 28 weeks from conception.

AP Explains: What lies ahead for UK after May's resignation

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will step down as leader of the Conservative Party on June 7, starting a process that will lead to a Conservative Party leadership contest and a new British prime minister who will lead the government during the Brexit process. Here are answers to some questions about what this means.

Porsche 914 50th Anniversary Celebrated At Museum

The Porsche Museum in Germany opens a special exhibit dedicated to 50 years of the 914. “In the mid-1960s, Porsche was striving to expand its position in the market with a sports car in the promising segment beneath the 911,” the museum said in an announcement about its exhibit.

Scouted: These Portable Bluetooth Speakers Have a 4.9-Star Average Rating — and Are On Sale Right Now

The folks at one of Scouted readers’ favorite electronics brands Anker has repackaged their extremely highly rated Bluetooth speakers into a perfect Father’s Day gift — and marked down the price by 23%. The Soundcore Flare portable speakers, which play multi-directional sound and sync to each other for custom style surround sound, are $50 right now (that’s the lowest price they’ve ever been) and come with a limited edition travel case. The enhanced bass, all-around 360-degree sound, and LEDs that phase, pulse, and shine in sync with your music, got reviewers to rate the Flares 4.9 stars, on average — a rare occurrence to be that well-liked. Use code ILOVEFATHER to trigger the discount at checkout and give your dad a pair of portable speakers that are easy to use, modern, and which will supplant a lack of entertainment at any family get together or party for many years to come.Scouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.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.

Best Grocery Stores for a Memorial Day Cookout

Before you toss the burgers and dogs on the grill this Memorial Day, think about where you’ll buy your cookout fixings. In addition to the fresh food for grilling, you might want to add prepared ...

One Change You Can Make to Your Glock That Gun Owners Love

In this article, we are going to be talking about stippling a Glock handgun. We will be looking at what stippling is, how it’s beneficial, and lastly, you will learn how to stipple a Glock on your own. And best of all, I am going to tell you how to do it with just a few basic tools that you probably already have laying around somewhere in the garage.So grab you fireproof gloves, your range bag, and pistol, and let’s head out to the workshop.WHY YOU SHOULD STIPPLE A HANDGUNStippling your pistol can be beneficial to the comfort level of your pistol grip, but it also gives the handle of your pistol much better traction than it probably had when you pulled it fresh out of the box.And while you can stipple just about any handgun, Glocks are the ones that you may find need it the most.

Modi plots course after landslide Indian election win

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met allies and former mentors Friday to plot a course for his second term after a landslide victory left the once-mighty Gandhi dynasty reeling. A considerable to-do list includes addressing India's lacklustre economic growth and reducing unemployment, as well as fixing a stricken agriculture sector on which 70 percent of households depend. Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 303 seats, its best ever score, giving it an even bigger majority than five years ago and defying predictions of a dip, final results confirmed Friday.

AT&T is the first major US wireless carrier to let you pay via cryptocurrency

If you're an AT&T mobile customer, and you have some extra bitcoin lying around that you're not doing anything with, you can now use it to pay your phone bill.AT&T just became the first big US wireless carrier to announce that its customers can now use cryptocurrency to make payments, as greater acceptance of this digital medium of exchange can be seen at companies ranging from AT&T to cable provider Dish, which also lets its customers pay via cryptocurrency. Likewise, Facebook on Friday garnered headlines over a report that it's set to launch its own cryptocurrency for use on the social network early next year.About AT&T's move, all customers need to do is select the BitPay option at MyAT&T. BitPay is an Atlanta-based bitcoin payment service provider, and it's also worth noting: This is an option that only currently works online and via the myAT&T app, so it's not as yet available for in-store payments."We're always looking for ways to improve and expand our services," said Kevin McDorman, vice president, AT&T Communications Finance Business Operations, in a statement about the new payment option. "We have customers who use cryptocurrency, and we are happy we can offer them a way to pay their bills with the method they prefer."There are of course a slew of different cryptocurrency options out there, and AT&T's announcement doesn't specify a particular kind. BitPay's website, though, notes that currencies it supports include Bitcoin, Gemini USD, and Paxos, to name a few.As of now, it's a safe bet to assume that crypto payments will probably remain a small minority of AT&T's customer payment mix for the near future. That's thanks to everything from the general public's unfamiliarity with the digital asset to obstacles like its fees and high volatility, the latter being two of the most frequent criticisms you hear.Still, expect to keep hearing more announcements like this as companies keep experimenting. Just a few weeks ago, for example, retailers like Whole Foods and GameStop likewise announced they'll be getting in on the act too, accepting cryptocurrency through the Flexa payment network.

U.S. charges WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with espionage

(The corrected story deletes reference to Assange being charged by Swedish prosecutors; corrects to say Sweden may send fresh extradition request to Britain.) By Sarah N. Lynch and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department unveiled 17 new criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday, saying he unlawfully published the names of classified sources and conspired with and assisted ex-Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in obtaining access to classified information. ...