Elyria

Model in Russian court apologizes for US election claim

MOSCOW (AP) — A Belarusian model and self-styled sex instructor who last year claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election said Saturday that she apologizes to a Russian tycoon for the claim and won't say more about the matter.

Winter storm disturbs travel as it rolls toward U.S. Midwest, Northeast

A major winter storm was expected to clobber a large swath of the northern United States with heavy snow, gusty winds and frigid temperatures making travel difficult and dangerous starting on Friday and through the weekend, forecasters said. The storm system will dump 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) of snow in the Plains and Midwest on Friday night and Saturday and as it moves east at least a foot of snow in parts of the Northeast on Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said in several advisories. The system was expected to also bring freezing rain, wind gusts of 35 miles (56 km) per hour and quickly dropping temperatures that will to dip into the teens and even below zero Fahrenheit in several areas, the service said.

Donald Trump to speak with families of four Americans killed in Syria

Trump announces trip to a Dover, Delaware, military base to meet with families of Americans killed in a Wednesday attack by a suicide bomber in Syria.

Mexican airline trolls Americans with brilliant ad

While the debate over immigration and a border wall between the United States and Mexico has helped grind the U.S. federal government to a halt, Mexico's national airline, AeroMexico, is trolling Americans with a new ad called "DNA Discounts." The ad features purported residents of Wharton, Texas, a town about 60 miles southwest of Houston, professing a variety of opinions about Mexico and its citizens. The ad also drops some knowledge about the long history of immigration from Mexico to the U.S., and notes that many in southern and southwestern states have a touch of Mexican DNA. Things get flipped when the airline reveals it's offering flight discounts to Americans, including those Wharton residents, based on the amount of Mexican DNA they have (i.e., 18 percent DNA equals an 18 percent discount). That certainly turns opinions around. As one recipient says, "I love discounts!" Of course, it's such a brilliant ad, it's hard to tell if those Wharton residents are real or just actors and if this whole DNA discount thing is real  or satirical. Aeromexico, which has gotten political before, isn't saying much, but we've reached out for comment and will update this post when we hear back.  Either way, it's a brilliant gambit that undermines the vitriol so many Americans have expressed at our neighbors to the south, and does so without ever directly mentioning the political turmoil, the wall, or even President Trump. Instead, it directs that energy at a sense of shared community, including the tagline, "There are no borders within us." Not a bad way to spread a powerful message.

First picture: Prince Philip car crash victim 'not getting enough support from Palace'

A mother of two whose wrist was broken when the car she was in collided with Prince Philip’s Land Rover has told friends she is “unhappy” with the way Buckingham Palace has handled the accident. The Telegraph can reveal that Emma Fairweather, 45, was the passenger in the Kia car last Thursday when it struck the Duke of Edinburgh’s Land Rover near the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Ms Fairweather has since complained of feeling “overwhelmed” by the experience of being involved, firstly, in a crash and, secondly, in one involving the husband of the monarch. Friends and relatives described Ms Fairweather as a “warm and caring woman”, as well as a devoted mother of two teenage children. They said she had told of how “she still has not been cleared” by doctors as fit and well after suffering the injury to her wrist. Others have claimed Ms Fairweather, as well as the 28-year-old female Kia driver who suffered cuts to her knee, had felt “unhappy” because they said they had been “advised” by police not to talk about the collision. No-one from Norfolk Police was available for comment on Saturday. The younger woman’s nine-month-old baby was in the back of the Kia and survived without any injuries after the vehicle struck the Duke’s two-tonne car on the A149 sending it rolling across the road. Ms Fairweather has told friends she is unhappy with how Buckingham Palace handled the crash There was no suggestion the car was speeding. The two women and the Duke were breathalysed but neither was over the drink drive limit. A source has since confirmed that the Duke took and passed a police eyesight test, as part of the ongoing investigation. Four people had to help the visibly shaken prince out of the Freelander. Others went to the aid of the two women  and baby in the Kia amid fears that smoke coming from vehicle could lead to an explosion or fire. A source who knows Ms Fairweather and spoke on condition of anonymity said the mother of two was “frustrated” with how the episode had been handled as she was caught up in a crash that has made headlines around the world. The woman explained: “She said, ‘It’s suddenly become so overwhelming that I’m quite tempted to simply go home. I’m just wondering if I’m out of my depth and should retreat.” While Ms Fairweather has not yet elaborated on exactly why she felt unhappy, there has been considerable dismay locally that the police took a day to reveal that a nine-month-old baby was also in the Kia vehicle. The scene of the crash last week Buckingham Palace revealed earlier that “contact had been made privately with the passengers in the other car and well-wishes had been exchanged”, however it remains unclear whether the prince made that approach or if it been an aid. Meanwhile, some locals have complained that it required an accident involving a member of the Royal Family on a notorious stretch of the A149 to prompt the council to lower the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph. Among those killed on the road is Sandra Greenacre, a 51-year-old police community support officer, who died after being involved in an accident on her way to work in 2013. Her son, Danny Child, 27, from King’s Lynn, told The Telegraph: “Personally, I feel like it is disrespectful to everyone who has had a road traffic collision on the A149. "It’s been an issue for the last five to six years but now a royal has had a crash something has been done. I just feel like it’s disrespectful.” It is not the first time the prince has been involved in a collision. In January 1996, Prince Philip, then 74, was involved in an accident in Brandon, Suffolk, while travelling from Sandringham. Both vehicles were damaged in the prang. Ms Fairweather also told friends how she had been moved by the “numerous” family members and former neighbours eager to ensure she was safe and well. The Duke of Edinburgh returned to the road in a new car on Saturday Credit: Geoff Robinson One neighbour in Kings Lynn, where Ms Fairweather lived for three years before moving out last year, said she was a “wonderfully warm” woman and a “fantastic mother” who was seen regularly walking her dog. “She will be terribly shocked to be caught up in this whole thing. I can’t imagine how she feels about it all,” he said. Ms Fairweather had lived in a two-up-two down semi-detached house, along with her two teenage children, Alex, a 19-year-old fine art student at York University, and a teenage son. It is understood Ms Fairweather summoned a relative, Samantha Fairweather, 38, to the scene of the accident to comfort her. They were photographed alongside the prince’s Land Rover which had rolled onto its side, as well as the Kia car in a hedge. The Duke was reported to have said “I’m such a fool” to a member of the public who had helped him out the car. Victoria Warne, 72, who stopped at the scene with her husband, Roy, 75, said the prince “looked so worried”, adding: “I’m such a fool.” It is understood a bidding war has broken out among tabloid news outlets for Ms Fairweather’s account of the crash and her treatment by the authorities in the aftermath. Additional reporting by Helena Horton and Mike Wright.

Calabasas campground murder: Family of Tristan Beaudette file $90M claim over his death

The family of the man shot and killed while camping with his daughters at Malibu Creek State Park has filed a $90 million claim over his death.

Israel demolishes home of accused Palestinian killer

Israeli forces demolished the West Bank home on Friday of a Palestinian accused of the fatal September stabbing of an Israeli-American. Residents of the town of Yata, near the flashpoint city of Hebron, said that troops arrived at the home of Khalil Jabareen and were met by stone-throwing Palestinians. The Israeli army said the structure destroyed was an apartment where Jabareen lived.

Sophie Turner Says Sansa Stark's Hair Is Full of Game of Thrones Secrets

That's one insightful 'do

State of emergency declared in Pennsylvania, New Jersey as Midwest, Northeast rush to finalize snowstorm preparations

A major snowstorm is moving through the Midwest into the Northeast through this weekend, dumping mass amounts of snow and creating treacherous travel. Local officials warn communities to prepare ahead of the dangerous winter storm.

Donald Trump's week of living dangerously

From bad economic news to the ongoing government shutdown to bombshell reports that he directed his lawyer to lie to Congress, it has been a week to forget for the president.

TSA officers open up about what the government shutdown is doing to their families

Shutdown threatens the financial security of TSA agents across the country, including at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Tesla Is Cutting 3150 Jobs to Increase Model 3 Production

Elon Musk told employees about the cuts in a letter posted online.

Pink is king at Berluti menswear show in Paris

PARIS (Reuters) - Hot pink suits and leather galore marked Kris Van Assche's debut as Berluti's designer at Paris men's fashion week on Friday, as the brand known for its luxurious shoes paraded models through the glitzy corridors of the Opera Garnier.

At least 8 Somali soldiers killed in attack on army base

At least eight Somali soldiers were killed when the Al-Shabaab jihadist group overran their military camp on the outskirts of the town of Kismayo early Saturday, military officials and local elders said. According to the sources, heavily-armed Shabaab militants launched a dawn raid on the military camp, followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire which lasted hours. "The terrorists attacked Bulogagdud military base using heavy weaponry and explosives.

U.S. Should Slow Syria Pullout to Contain Risks, Graham Says

“I believe it would be an absolute disaster to walk away from Syria and drop in Erdogan’s lap armed elements of YPG that he considers to be terrorist and expect Turkey to deal with that and prevent ISIS from coming back,” Graham, a South Carolina Republican, told Bloomberg in an interview in Ankara. Addressing concerns by Turkey, a NATO ally, over Kurdish militant group YPG can dovetail with American objectives such as containing Iran and the jihadist group Islamic State, he said.

March for Life Art Contrasts with Vulgar Signs at Women’s March in 30 Photos

This weekend, Americans traveled from across the country to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life and the Women’s March by walking with their poster art. The Women’s March began Saturday morning at Freedom Plaza. While the first march boasted hundreds of thousands in Washington, D.C., the 2019 march appeared much smaller.

Feds confirm jailed Iranian TV anchor not charged with crime

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials confirmed Friday that a prominent American-born anchorwoman on Iranian state television was jailed in the U.S. as a material witness and has not been charged with any crime, according to court papers.

Snow: Flight cancellations now stretch into Sunday

Airlines are already canceling flights ahead of a new winter storm forecast to bring snow and ice from the Great Plains to the Midwest and Northeast.

Non-zero tolerance: DHS is still separating families at the border

Since President Trump suspended his administration’s zero-tolerance family separation policy, immigration officials have continued to separate immigrant children and parents — at steadily increasing rates.

Merkel's Bavarian allies elect new head, ushering in new era

BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies elected a new leader Saturday, a change that offers Germany's center-right a chance to move past their persistent bickering over recent years.

Omaha airport reopens after Southwest Airlines plane goes off runway

The airport tweeted out a statement Friday afternoon about the incident, and followed up with several additional tweets.

Chevy Pulls Commercial Claiming Superior Reliability

A consumer group challenges the automaker's small-print disclaimer-who's right?

Netflix tidying guru sparks charity shop boom

A Netflix tidying guru has sparked a charity shop boom, as branches of Salvation Army, Scope and the British Heart Foundation have said she has led to increase in donations. It comes as decluttering expert Marie Kondo has rapidly risen to fame with her "KonMari" household organisation method, which promises to provide not only a de-cluttered house, but also a clean mind.  Through her hit Netflix show she is teaching those with messy tendencies to get their homes in order by throwing out old and unwanted items to create a calmer home environment. Many people following the craze claim her various techniques have helped their mental health, and are adamant that a clean and organised home helps them feel calm.  Charity shops across the country said they had seen donations of clothes double over the past few weeks since Ms Kondo's show was released on the streaming service.  Marie Kondo, the author of the international best-seller, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," became famous for advising readers to transform their lives by sifting through all their belongings, one by one, embracing those that "spark joy" and bidding a fond but hasty farewell to the rest Credit: Natsuno Ichigo They say they are able to identify items which have come from people who have watched the show as they are folded according to her "signature fold", which sees items placed upright to reduce creasing. For example, according to the method socks should be lain flat as a pair, with one sock on top of the other. The toe is folded inward about an inch from the top, then into to the centre, and then in half so it stands upright. A branch manager for disability charity Scope also said she was able to recognize items donated by KonMari fans due to their immaculate presentation on arrival at the store, adding that the folding hack had led to more donations due to more space being available inside plastic sacks.  The Salvation Army said that although shops usually experience an increase in donations after Christmas, shop managers had seen a larger than usual volume of donations.   It comes amid a decline in charity shops across the UK with numbers down by more than 100 in first half of 2018, according to Third Sector magazine. Yorkshire and Humber was the only region that saw more charity shops open than close, it said.  Charity shops have come under criticism in recent years for pricing items for middle class bargain hunters, rather than the poorest people in society who rely on cheap second hand clothing to dress themselves.

'Total internet shutdown' in Zimbabwe: provider

Zimbabwe imposed a "total shutdown" of the internet on Friday, a major provider told customers, after protests early this week triggered a ruthless security crackdown. The internet had been partially restored after a first shutdown started on Tuesday. "We were served with another directive for total shutdown of the internet until further notice," Econet, the country's biggest provider, said in a text message on Friday.

Chicago ex-cop sentenced to nearly seven years over teen shooting

Washington (AFP) - A white former Chicago police officer was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on Friday for fatally shooting a black teenager in 2014, an incident that triggered months of protests in the city.

Nancy Pelosi cancels trip, claims White House leaked plans to fly commercially

After the president denied her aircraft for a trip abroad, Pelosi said she would not be flying commercially, either.

Cohen Likely to Appear Again Before Senate Intelligence Panel, Warner Says

(Bloomberg) -- Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer, is expected to return next month for another appearance to testify behind closed doors to the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to the panel’s top Democrat.

Winter storm forces airline cancellations, road troubles

DETROIT (AP) — A plane carrying 129 people skidded Saturday from a slick Chicago runway and a plow driver was killed when his truck rolled over outside Kansas City following a winter storm that covered many parts of the Midwest in snow and ice.

What is open and closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

Federal offices usually closed on the third Monday of every January to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The New 2020 GMC Sierra HD Will Be a Reskinned Silverado HD

As usual, the GMC will come with extra chrome and an in-your-face grille.

These Are the Americans Who Were Killed in Syria This Week

Three of the four Americans killed in Syria have been identified as: Jonathan Farmer, Shannon Kent and Scott Wirtz.

Canada dismisses China's warning of repercussions over Huawei ban

Canada's government on Friday dismissed China's warning of repercussions if Ottawa banned Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] from supplying equipment to 5G networks, saying it would not compromise on security. China's ambassador to Canada issued the threat on Thursday as relations between the two nations continued to deteriorate after a senior Huawei executive was arrested in Vancouver last month on a U.S. extradition warrant. China has also detained two Canadians.

Asia's richest man to take on Amazon boss Jeff Bezos in India's booming e-commerce sector

Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, is set to take on Amazon's Jeff Bezos in India as the billionaire magnate launches his own rival e-commerce venture in the world's second most populous country. Reliance Industries, the Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate owned by Mr Ambani, is drawing up plans to roll out its online shopping services to 1.2m retail businesses in western India as competition to grab a share of India’s fast-developing e-commerce industry intensifies. Mr Ambani, who controls a $43 billion fortune in petrochemicals, energy, telecoms and textiles, is planning a push into the e-commerce space by adopting new technologies such as augmented reality to create an “immersive shopping experience” and compete with the likes of Amazon and homegrown competitor Flipkart. The e-commerce plans from the businessman will involve the combination of his mobile network operator Jio, which has 280m subscribers, with his additional mobile phone and physical retail ventures. Reliance Retail, first launched in 2006, serves over 3.5m customers per week through a network of local shops, supermarkets and wholesale cash and carry outlets in more than 6500 Indian cities and towns. It currently owns over 13m square feet of retail space, though a new wave of online retail in India is taking the company into new territory. The trio of Reliance Industries’ businesses will combine to bring Indian merchants online. “Jio and Reliance Retail will launch a unique new commerce platform to empower and enrich our [1.2m] small retailers and shopkeepers in Gujarat,” Mr Ambani said at an event on Friday. Technology intelligence - newsletter promo - EOA In India, e-commerce has seen mass adoption as smartphone penetration and improved internet connectivity through 4G networks has boosted consumer appetite beyond cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, a subsidiary trust of India’s department of commerce, the online retail market is expected to grow to $200bn by 2026, up from $38.5bn in 2017. Online retail sales for 2018 are expected to rise as much as 31pc to $32.7bn, with growth being driven by more companies looking to tap into the Indian market. So far, India's booming e-commerce market has largely been a duopoly between Amazon and Flipkart, a domestic rival based in the southern technology hub of Bangalore which was started by two former Amazon employees. Wal-Mart paid a $16bn to acquire a controlling share in Flipkart last year in the biggest foreign direct investment in India's history. Flipkart has also received billions of dollars in funding from Softbank of Japan and Tiger Global. Amazon, which first launched its online retail platform in India more than five years ago with a limited selection of products on offer such as books and films, has committed $5bn to its Indian operation. But the two US-controlled companies which dominate the market - Amazon and Flipkart - are facing  growing pressure. With a general election due in May, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled new rules designed to protect small shopkeepers from online competition by restricting the level of discounting which the online giants can offer customers. Mr Ambani sought to harness concerns that India should support the emergence of domestic champions in e-commerce. "Today, we have to collectively launch a new movement against data colonisation. For India to succeed in this data-driven revolution, we will have to migrate the control and ownership of Indian data back to India - in other words, Indian wealth back to every Indian," he said.  Amazon is continuing to expand its Indian operation, where it is currently advertising for 660 open roles in its Bangalore office alone - the second most worldwide after Seattle. The company also has 450 open positions in Hyderabad, according to media reports.

Pelosi scrapped Afghan trip after Trump 'leaked' details

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday excoriated her political nemesis, President Donald Trump, for "outing" her commercial trip to Afghanistan after barring her from using a military aircraft, forcing her to scrap it entirely over security concerns. The federal government has been shuttered for four weeks over Trump's insistence that a wider budget measure include billions of dollars for a wall on the border with Mexico -- and Pelosi's refusal to do so.

Researchers come face to face with huge great white shark

HALEIWA, Hawaii (AP) — Two shark researchers who came face to face with what could be one of the largest great whites ever recorded are using their encounter as an opportunity to push for legislation that would protect sharks in Hawaii.

Friday TSA status: Long lines in Seattle, Atlanta as holiday weekend kicks off

The TSA said it expects a busy travel weekend due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

I carried my dying daughter to term. It was a lesson in love many didn't understand

We live in a culture that believes unlimited freedom of choice is what it means to be human. But what if real freedom is the ability to choose love?

AP Analysis: Climactic events in 1979 shaped modern Mideast

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Revolutionaries in the streets give way to black-and-white images of blindfolded American hostages. Two enemies sign a peace deal after years of hostilities. And one of the world's two superpowers invades its southern neighbor, launching a bloody, decade-long conflict.

11-year-old student started classes this week at Southern University

This 11-year-old is a new physics major and was awarded a full scholarship to attend Southern University.

Pursuing R. Kelly: Could he end up convicted of sex crimes like Bill Cosby?

The R&B star is fighting multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, but could he be charged with a crime and convicted?

What Martin Luther King Jr. Said About Walls During His 1964 Visit to Berlin

"For here on either side of the wall are God’s children and no man-made barrier can obliterate that fact"

Special Counsel Labels Bombshell BuzzFeed Report ‘Not Accurate’ in Rare Statement

A spokesman for special counsel Robert Mueller took the unusual step Friday of publicly correcting an inaccurate BuzzFeed News report that accused President Trump of suborning perjury. “BuzzFeed’s description of specific statements to the Special Counsel’s Office, and characterization of documents and testimony obtained by this office, regarding Michael Cohen’s Congressional testimony are not accurate,” special counsel spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement to BuzzFeed. The statement was issued in response to a bombshell report, which cited two law enforcement officials and alleged Trump directed his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress about when exactly plans to construct a Trump Tower in Moscow concluded.

Save $34 on the Instant Pot of air fryers

It has now gotten to the point where I actually cannot remember what life was like before I got my Oster Dura Ceramic Air Fryer. Seriously, I use it at least once a week. It's by far the best air fryer we've ever tested here at BGR, but it's also so much more than that. It's a roaster, a grill, it can saute, and it can even bake. It's basically the Instant Pot of air fryers, and it's back in stock right now on Amazon. This model will cost $160 if you buy it direct from Oster, but Amazon's offering it right now for just $129, or $125.95 if you clip the on-site coupon! Here's what you need to know from the product page: * This Oster air fryer air-fries to the perfect crispiness for the taste and texture of fried food, using only a tablespoon or less of oil for a healthier alternative * Hot air fryer has a titanium-infused coating that cooks food 30% faster and is 8 times more durable than regular nonstick coatings; it's also PTFE- and PFOA-free, and easy to clean * Dual cooking method uses a tilt motion, fan assisted convection, and radiated heat conduction- heating elements above and below the bowl-to expose food to circulating heat, and cook it evenly * LCD screen lets you set cooking time and temperature; unit shuts off automatically when food is done * Large, 3 liter capacity lets you cook more at a time

Tesla cuts jobs as it looks to make Model 3 more affordable

The company, which has struggled to achieve long-term profitability and keep a tight lid on expenses, also said it expects fourth-quarter profit to be lower than the preceding quarter. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the need for lower-priced versions of Model 3 will become even greater from July, when the U.S. tax credit again drops in half, adding $1,875 to the car's price tag, and again at the end of the year when it goes away entirely. The phase-out of the electric vehicle tax break confronts Tesla with the choice of raising prices at the risk of losing customers or slashing costs by thousands of dollars per vehicle, a herculean task for an automaker.