Acting State Department Watchdog Resigns
WASHINGTON—The acting State Department inspector general has resigned and plans to return to the private sector, stepping down as the agency’s internal watchdog as a congressional inquiry into President Trump’s May ouster of his predecessor gains steam. Stephen Akard, a former career foreign-service officer, was simultaneously leading the department’s Office of Foreign Missions, prompting criticism from congressional Democrats that he reported to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while also serving as an independent inspector...
Source:Wall Street Journal
August 05, 2020 15:30 UTC
Yates: Comey went 'rogue' with Flynn interview
Committee chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Yates about the circumstances surrounding the interview, particularly the actions of then-FBI Director James Comey. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM ON FBI USE OF DISCREDITED STEELE DOSSIER, QUESTIONS FOR SALLY YATES"I was upset that Director Comey didn't coordinate that with us and acted unilaterally," Yates said. Yates said she was "irritated" with Comey for not telling her about this earlier. When asked if Biden mentioned the Logan Act, Yates said she could not recall. Speaking further on the Flynn investigation, Yates said she supported the probe.
Source:Fox News
August 05, 2020 15:26 UTC
Donald Trump Jr. opposes controversial Alaska mine that could disrupt critical salmon fishery
Washington (CNN) Donald Trump Jr. and Vice President Mike Pence's former top aide are calling on the Trump administration to block a controversial gold and copper mine proposed in Alaska that the Obama administration said would cause permanent damage to a critical salmon fishery. The headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with." The headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with. "The science is clear -- you can't put a gold and copper mine on top of the most productive salmon run in the world and not have substantial and permanent damage. The Bristol Bay watershed and area is regarded as one of the world's most important salmon fisheries, producing nearly half of the world's annual wild sockeye salmon catch.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:22 UTC
Sally Yates defends FBI investigation into Flynn, calls Barr move to drop charges 'highly irregular'
Yates said that the recommendation to close the Flynn case came "before they knew about the conversations" between Flynn and Kislyak. "They were absolutely material to a legitimate investigation," Yates said of the interview with Flynn. "During the meeting, the President, vice president and national security adviser did not in any way attempt to direct or influence any kind of investigation," Yates said. "General Flynn had essentially neutered the US government's message of deterrence," Yates said. While Yates has been critical of Comey in the past, she hasn't said she objected to an investigation of Flynn.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:16 UTC
'May karma find you all': A woman's obituary for her late husband condemns Trump and people who don't wear masks
(CNN) Stacey Nagy's husband, David, died two weeks ago from coronavirus complications. Nagy's obituary for her 79-year-old husband was published in a small newspaper in Jefferson, Texas, without a functioning website, but her words tore through the internet in the days after David's death. "Family members believe David's death was needless," she wrote. "They blame his death and the deaths of all other innocent people on Trump, (Texas Gov. Greg) Abbott and all of the other politicians who did not take this pandemic seriously and were more concerned with their popularity and votes than lives."
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:11 UTC
Golf’s Majors Are Back With the PGA Championship
In July 2019, a stout Irishman named Shane Lowry lifted the Claret Jug as the winner of the 2019 British Open. More than a year has passed. He’s still the last man to have won a major championship—something that will finally change this weekend. Almost two months after professional golf came back in America during the pandemic, golf’s majors are back. This weekend’s PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco marks almost 13 months since the last event of this caliber, lending a surge of enthusiasm to a sport that...
Source:Wall Street Journal
August 05, 2020 15:06 UTC
20,000 absentee ballots are being mailed by Connecticut town clerks one week before primary
Washington (CNN) A week ahead of the Connecticut primary election, 20,000 absentee ballots were in the process of being mailed or still needed to be mailed to voters who had requested them by town clerks across the state, officials told CNN on Tuesday. Anna Posniak, president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association, called it a "major problem." "I've heard from many town clerks that they all stayed late [Monday] night." In elections held under normal circumstances, town clerks process all absentee ballot applications and mail absentee ballots directly to voters. Town clerks now must send out ballots to applicants received last week as well as any incoming applications this week.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:00 UTC
Chicago public schools will start the school year all virtual
(CNN) Chicago Public Schools, the nation's third-largest school system, will start the coming school year with fully remote learning for all students due to the coronavirus pandemic, the district announced Wednesday. The decision could avoid a possible strike from the Chicago Teachers Union. The district will implement remote learning through the first quarter, which ends November 9, and then will evaluate if it is safe to open in a hybrid learning model. We are making every possible effort to provide a high-quality remote learning experience in the fall, utilizing live, virtual instruction for every student, every day, and we are committed to ongoing engagement and communication with parents." The announcement comes a day after a source close to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) told CNN that the CTU planned to convene their House of Delegates early next week to discuss taking a strike vote to demand remote learning for Chicago Public Schools.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:00 UTC
Cosori air fryer sale: The Cosori Air Fryer Max XL is on sale at Amazon
If you’ve yet to get in on the air fryer craze, now’s your chance: The Cosori Air Fryer Max XL is on sale for one day and one day only at Amazon. Whether you’re reheating last night’s fries or crisping up some chicken wings, this air fryer does it all, with up to 85% less fat than frying food the traditional way. Cosori Air Fryer Max XL, 5.8-Quart ($67.49; originally $89.99; amazon.com)Cosori Air Fryer Max XL PHOTO: AmazonThis sleek-looking 5.8-quart air fryer, sized perfectly for cooking for up to five people, is one that you’ll be happy to keep out on your countertop. Plus, it’s not just for frying — home cooks use this appliance for quickly whipping up juicy hamburgers and chicken breasts too. Just be sure to snag this fryer at a discount before the price rises or stock gets all eaten up.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 15:00 UTC
Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke and Mac Miller: Rap Stars Who Died Young Are Among the Biggest Albums of the Year
Some of the biggest rap albums of the year have come from young stars who died prematurely: Drug overdoses or shootings cut short the lives of Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke and Mac Miller. “We’ve lost so many lights,” says Donna-Claire Chesman, managing editor of hip-hop website DJBooth. For music fans, there’s one consolation: the young stars’ posthumous...
Source:Wall Street Journal
August 05, 2020 15:00 UTC
CDC warns of potential outbreak of rare, life-threatening condition in children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning to parents and clinicians Tuesday that a rare polio-like condition that affects children could appear this year. In some cases, patients may become permanently disabled, the agency said. The polio-like illness tends to spike every two years, according to the CDC, which has tracked the data since 2014. Clinicians should look out for AFM in patients experiencing sudden limb weakness, especially during the months of August through November. "AFM cases may be fewer this year or the outbreak delayed," he said.
Source:Fox News
August 05, 2020 14:48 UTC
Light roast versus dark roast coffee: Understanding different types of coffee
Maybe that has meant finally investing in a good drip coffee maker or coffee grinder, or understanding the many coffee trends out there — dalgona coffee, frozen coffee, gold coffee, gourmet delivered coffee and more. And probably somewhere along your journey to truly understanding coffee you’ve thought, “Wait, what is light roast and dark roast coffee, anyway?”It’s much like wine. What exactly is light roast and dark roast coffee? Peet’s Coffee French Roast Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 20-Ounce ($14.99; amazon.com)Peet's Coffee French Roast Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, 20-OuncePeet’s Coffee, known for its dark, brooding and almost syrupy drip, sells its infamous super dark French Roast as whole beans too, with notes like smoke and burnt caramel. Peet’s Coffee French Roast Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 20-Ounce ($12.69; amazon.com)Peet's Coffee French Roast Dark Roast Ground Coffee, 20-OunceAgain, Peet’s warns this dark roast is not for the cautious, but if pre-ground is more of your thing and you love smoky flavors, why not give it a shot?
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 14:48 UTC
McConnell open to extending $600 unemployment boost in coronavirus stimulus deal
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he could support extending the extra $600-a-week unemployment benefit in the next coronavirus relief package -- so long as President Trump backs the measure. Democratic leaders and White House officials are trying to finalize another round of emergency aid this week and hold a vote in Congress next week. One major point of contention during negotiations has been whether or not to continue boosting unemployment benefits by $600 a week. McConnell noted that many Republicans would likely not vote for the final stimulus legislation if it restores the unemployment aid. NEARLY HALF OF US JOBS LOST TO CORONAVIRUS COULD BE GONE PERMANENTLY, POLL FINDS"We know this is going to be a negotiated settlement," McConnell said.
Source:Fox News
August 05, 2020 14:48 UTC
'The Matrix' Was A Trans Allegory All Along, Confirms Co-Creator Lilly Wachowski
In 1999, an ad campaign for a mysterious new movie asked, “What is the Matrix?” Twenty-one years later, creator Lilly Wachowski is confirming it’s much more than anyone could’ve imagined. In a video for Netflix, Lilly Wachowski, who co-directed the science fiction franchise with sister Lana, confirmed that “The Matrix” is a trans allegory. “I’m glad that it has gotten out that that was the original intention,” Wachowski said, adding, “The corporate world wasn’t ready for it.”“The Matrix” tells the story of a hacker named Neo (Keanu Reeves) realizing he lives in a simulated reality. Following Lilly coming out as a trans woman in 2016 and her sister coming out in 2010, many fans and critics started analyzing the franchise through a trans lens, which Lilly previously approved of during an appearance at the GLAAD Media Awards in 2016. The Wachowskis’ franchise has earned more than $1.5 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, and a fourth film is due out in 2022.
Source:Huffington Post
August 05, 2020 14:48 UTC
Kraft mac and cheese is now a breakfast food, apparently
New York (CNN Business) Kraft wants you to wake up and smell the mac and cheese. Kraft Heinz KHC More Americans are eating at home as the pandemic spreads across the United States, and household routines are changing. Soannounced Tuesday that it will rebrand its Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinner along with its iconic blue box. Americans are eating at home more during the pandemic, and that's been good news for Kraft Heinz. Breakfast in particular has been a boon for the prepared foods business — and a struggle for restaurants like Starbucks and McDonald's , which have invested huge amounts of money and resources into luring commuters with coffee and quick-serve food.
Source:CNN
August 05, 2020 14:37 UTC