Youngstown

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.

Police hunt suspect after explosion in French city of Lyon

LYON, France (AP) — French police on Saturday hunted a suspect believed to have deposited a paper bag containing a device that exploded Friday, wounding 13 people on a busy pedestrian street in the city of Lyon.

Trump: So What if North Korea Fired Off Weapons? Kim Jong Un Dissed Joe Biden for Me

Jonathan Ernst/ReutersPresident Trump says he isn’t bothered by North Korea’s recent weapons testing, unlike some of his own “people,” because Kim Jong Un has already shown his loyalty by making a crack at Joe Biden.  “North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me,” Trump tweeted Sunday while visiting Japan. “I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me, & also smiled when he called Swampman Joe Bidan [sic] a low IQ individual, & worse,” the president wrote. “Perhaps that’s sending me a signal?”The president later tweeted out the exact same comments again but corrected the spelling of Biden's surname. Bizarrely, Trump made the comments not only just hours after his own national security adviser condemned North Korea for testing ballistic missiles, but also right before his scheduled meeting in Japan with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also spoke out about the missile testing. The country's test of ballistic missiles earlier this month was seen as an aggressive escalation that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions, according to Trump's national security adviser John Bolton. “In terms of violating Security Council resolutions, there’s no doubt about that,” Bolton told reporters on Saturday morning. Bolton also said Trump is working to maintain sanctions pressure on the North Korean regime until it backs down. A day earlier, Pyongyang suggested it had no intention of cooperating with Washington until the Trump administration agrees to make compromises instead of insisting on what it described as unilateral disarmament. An unnamed North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman made the comments to state media, saying nuclear negotiations between the two countries will not resume until the U.S. changes its terms. The president's tweet, on the other hand, suggests he is placing his bets on Kim being loyal to his earlier denuclearization pledge because of the North Korean leader's diss of the former vice president. The country’s official Korean Central News Agency echoed Trump in an editorial earlier this week that labeled 2020 contender Biden a “fool of low IQ” and an “imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being.” Trump, who now says he took that as a “signal” that Kim would keep his promises, apparently forgot his own history as the subject of mockery by the North Korean regime. Several months after he took office in 2017, the North Korean Foreign Ministry dismissed Trump as an “old lunatic.” Trump’s tweet has baffled many in Washington, including members of Joe Biden’s team. Brandon English, a senior digital adviser for the presidential candidate, retweeted Trump and wrote, “... I honestly have no idea what to do with this.”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.

British climber who died in Everest 'death zone' had feared overcrowding on summit's slopes

A British climber, who became the latest person to die on Mount Everest this season, admitted before setting off that he feared the dangers of overcrowding in the "death zone". Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, died on his descent after reaching the 8,850-metre (29,035 feet) summit of the world's highest mountain. He passed away in the "death zone", the area named for the low levels of oxygen on descent from the summit. Mr Fisher, who lived in Birmingham, is one of at least eight climbers to die on the treacherous slopes in the current climbing season that ends this month. Hiking officials attributed most of the deaths to weakness, exhaustion and delays on the crowded route to the summit. In his last social media post on Tuesday, Mr Fisher wrote how he had changed his climbing plans in order to avoid the crowds. View this post on Instagram Climbed up to camp 3, 7500m but the jet stream had returned closing the summit after only 2 days so I descended to basecamp. Around 100 climbers did summit in those 2 days with sadly 2 deaths, an Indian man found dead in his tent at camp 4 and an Irish climber lost, assumed fallen, on his descent. A go fund me page has been set up for a rescue bid for the Irish climber but it is a well meaning but futile gesture. Condolences to both their friends and families. Both deaths happened above 8000m in the so called death zone where the majority of deaths of foreign climbers happen. Around 700 more people will be looking to summit from Tuesday the 21st onwards. My revised plan, subject to weather that at the moment looks promising, is to return up the mountain leaving basecamp Tuesday the 21st 0230 and, all being well and a lot of luck, arriving on the summit the morning of Saturday the 25th. I will be climbing with my Sherpa, Jangbu who is third on the all time list with an incredible 19 summits. The other 4 members of our team decided to remain on the mountain and are looking to summit on the 21st. My cough had started to return at altitude so I couldn’t wait with them at altitude for the window to open without the risk of physically deteriorating too much. Furthermore as I had missed due to sickness the earlier camp 3 rotation best practice was for me to descend to allow my body to recover from the new altitude high so I could come back stronger. This was not an easy decision as the 13 hours climbing from basecamp to camp 2 in a day was the hardest physical and mental challenge I had ever done, now I have it all to do again. Finally I am hopeful to avoid the crowds on summit day and it seems like a number of teams are pushing to summit on the 21st. With a single route to the summit delays caused by overcrowding could prove fatal so I am hopeful my decision to go for the 25th will mean fewer people. Unless of course everyone else plays the same waiting game. everest everest2019 lhotseface A post shared by Robin (@1c0n0clast22) on May 19, 2019 at 1:15am PDT "With a single route to the summit delays caused by overcrowding could prove fatal so I am hopeful my decision to go for the 25th will mean fewer people. Unless of course everyone else plays the same waiting game," he added.  He also described how the altitude had already taken its toll on his health.  "My cough had started to return at altitude so I couldn’t wait with them at altitude for the window to open without the risk of physically deteriorating too much. "Furthermore as I had missed due to sickness the earlier camp 3 rotation best practice was for me to descend to allow my body to recover from the new altitude high so I could come back stronger.  Robin Haynes Fisher on his way to climb Mount Everest Credit: PA "This was not an easy decision as the 13 hours climbing from basecamp to camp 2 in a day was the hardest physical and mental challenge I had ever done, now I have it all to do again." Mr Fisher has been described by his family as an “aspirational adventurer”. Mr Fisher’s family said: “He achieved so much in his short life, climbing Mont Blanc, Aconcagua and Everest. "He was a 'tough guy', triathlete, and marathoner. A champion for vegetarianism, published author, and a cultured theatre-goer, lover of Shakespeare.” Now Nepal is facing scrutiny for issuing a record 381 permits — at £8,600 each — for this year’s spring season. View this post on Instagram Completed oxygen training which we will use in the so called death zone, above 8000m. I have 8 bottles, each weighing 4kg when full that the Sherpas have thankfully already shipped up the mountain to our advanced camps. Tomorrow we head up the mountain, leaving at 3am. We are going to bypass camp 1 and go all the way to camp 2. I can expect a 13 or 14 hour day of climbing. From camp 2 the plan is to go up to c3 for an acclimatisation climb and then return to c2. Depending on how the summit window looks, what the other teams are doing and how I feel I may then descend to basecamp to complete acclimatisation and return up the mountain later or may go for my summit push. A summit push will mean a return to c3, spending the night, proceeding to c4 and either spending the night or pushing for the summit that evening. It depends on how we feel, the weather and what the other 380 climbers are doing. As most expeditions average 1 to 1.5 Sherpas per climber we need to pick a day when there are not a few hundred other people heading for the summit. Due to their being one set of ropes their are a number of bottlenecks at tricky points. Standing around in a queue of a hundred people when with the windchill can be -40C is a recipe for frostbite or worse. When I was waiting to see the doctor in base camp yesterday to get the all clear to go up the patient before me had just come down the mountain. He had, at altitude, taken his summit mitts off to change the batteries in his headtorch. These 2.5 minutes had caused him stage 3 frostbite in his fingers and the prognosis was that he may lose the tips of his fingers. A timely reminder to keep my gloves on at all times. everest everest2019 A post shared by Robin (@1c0n0clast22) on May 14, 2019 at 12:34am PDT This week, a climber shared a photograph of the lengthy tailbacks on the mountain. Hundreds found themselves stuck for hours in the notoriously dangerous death zone, having used the window of good weather to push for the 8,848m (29,030ft) summit. Murari Sharma, of the Everest Parivar Treks company that arranged Mr Fisher’s logistics, told Reuters: “He died because of weakness after a long ascent and difficult descent. “He was descending with his sherpa guides from the summit when he suddenly fainted.” Fellow guides changed Mr Fisher’s oxygen bottle and offered him water, but could not save him. This handout photo taken on May 22, 2019 and released by climber Nirmal Purja's Project Possible expedition shows heavy traffic of mountain climbers lining up to stand at the summit of Mount Everest Credit:  AFP At least four other deaths have been linked to the human traffic jam. A Nepali guide is also believed to have died. Irish climber Kevin Hynes, 56, died in his tent at 7,000 metres on the early hours of Friday morning, after turning back before reaching the summit. With each climber normally accompanied by at least one Sherpa, the mountain could see more than 750 people trekking to the summit this season. Garrett Madison of the U.S. based Madison Mountaineering company that sponsors climbers to Mount Everest said many were not well qualified or prepared climbers and lacked  the support necessary to ascend and descend safely. Mr Madison told Reuters: “If they were with a strong and experienced team they would have likely been fine, but with minimal support, once something goes wrong it’s tough to get back on course.”

Battered EU centre holds off populist surge in vote

Europe's mainstream political parties took a hit in elections on Sunday but held off a strong surge by the populist right of Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini and Nigel Farage. In one of the world's biggest democratic votes, the main centre-right and centre-left groups lost their combined majority in the European Parliament in the face of a challenge by eurosceptic and nationalist forces. The symbolic clash of the campaign saw French far right leader Le Pen's National Rally on course to come in just ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's centrist movement, damaging his drive for deeper European integration.

Amanda Eller, Missing Maui Yoga Instructor, Ate Berries and Drank From Waterfalls to Survive

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Maui Police Department/FacebookAmanda Eller, the 35-year-old yoga instructor and physical therapist who went missing on a hike in a Maui forest on May 8, ate plants and berries and drank from the base of waterfalls to survive, her rescuers say. Hours after rescuers in a helicopter plucked Eller from a ravine, she said that she had to make the choice to stay alive while lost for 16 days in the forest.“There were times of total fear and loss and wanting to give up, and it did come down to life and death, and I had to choose,” Eller said from her hospital bed on Saturday. “I chose life.”Eller also thanked the volunteers who tirelessly searched for her, the Maui community, and those who donated to help fund the search. “People that know me, that don't know me, just under the idea of helping one person make it out of the woods alive just warms my heart," she said in a video posted on the Facebook page “Find Amanda.”Chris Berquist, a friend who was fired from a part-time job for not returning to work until he found Eller, told Maui Now that she was “alive and well” and, despite cuts to her legs and severe sun exposure, was “walking and healthy.”“We found her in a stream bed, she was waving up at us while we were in the helicopter, and we got her out nice and safe,” Berquist told ABC News Radio. “She was not injured. She has a little bit of exposure from the sun, a little bit of sunburn. She lost her shoes a few days in. But no injuries."She was last seen buying a Mother’s Day present on the surveillance video of a local shop on May 8. Eller’s family reported her missing when she did not answer calls after going hiking. Her white SUV was found in the Makawao Forest Reserve parking lot with her cellphone and wallet inside, prompting fears that she might have been abducted. Her friends and family offered a $50,000 reward for anyone who could provide information about her disappearance. More than 60 volunteers worked tirelessly to comb the area where she was thought to have hiked, but her family now said she slipped into a deep ravine between two waterfalls, slightly twisting her leg, and could not climb out. Rescuers had to be air-lifted in and out of the ravine to carry out the rescue.Eller’s father John told a local news channel that he had been “bawling like a baby” since hearing the news. He said that she was “mentally 100%” but that she had skin damage to her feet and legs from sun exposure. Another friend involved in her rescue, Javier Cantellops, a former Special Operations Airborne Ranger with the 3rd Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, told a local news station what it was like when they spotted her: “We all look to our right… and out of the woodwork, man, you see Amanda Eller, my friend, coming out, waving her hands,” he said. “It was unbelievable, dude.” Eller’s mother Julia said she had never given up hope on finding her daughter alive. “I felt in my heart she was alive,” she told KHON2. “I never gave up hope for a minute. Even though at times I would have those moments of despair, I stayed strong for her because I knew we would find her if we just stayed with the program, stayed persistent and that we would eventually find her.”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.

Eating Way Too Much Rice Almost Doomed Japan's Imperial Navy

After the war, the Emergency Beriberi Investigative Committee investigated the disease’s devastation of Japanese ranks. Worried about the composition of the committee and fully aware of Takaki’s success, the emperor stepped in. “The army’s beriberi problem can be effectively prevented if the army provides a staple of barley and rice,” the emperor stated.In August 1882 in Incheon Bay near Seoul, four Japanese warships were locked in a tense stand-off with two Chinese warships that had brought troops to quell a revolt on the Korean peninsula.On paper, the Japanese flotilla outnumbered the Chinese, but the hulls of the Japanese ships hid a deadly secret. Less than half of their crews could man their stations.The Korean peninsula erupted into conflict on July 23. A soldiers’ protest against ill treatment, unpaid wages and poor provisions turned into widespread mutiny. Ousted from power, the former regent of the king set the mutineers upon the government—and against the Japanese advisers working to modernize the Korean army.

'Don't be too optimistic': Huawei employees fret at US ban

While Huawei's founder brushes aside a US ban against his company, the telecom giant's employees have been less sanguine, confessing fears for their future in online chat rooms. Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei declared this week the company has a hoard of microchips and the ability to make its own in order to withstand a potentially crippling US ban on using American components and software in its products. "If you really want to know what's going on with us, you can visit our Xinsheng Community," Ren told Chinese media, alluding to Huawei's internal forum partially open to viewers outside the company.

'No Food, No Drink, No Watermelon' Boston Schoolteacher Claims Her Students Were Racially Profiled at Museum

A Boston schoolteacher alleges that her 7th grade students were racially profiled during a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts.

US sanctions on Iran felt in Iraqi Shiite tourist districts

BAGHDAD (AP) — For years, Karar Hussein has sold sweets in his shop near the entrance to one of Shiite Islam's holiest shrines, accepting whatever currency was offered to him by his clients, many of them religious tourists from neighboring Iran. But lately, when Iranian pilgrims ask about prices, he tells them he can only sell if they pay in Iraqi currency. They often walk out, disappointed.

Pope Francis likens abortion in any scenario to ‘hiring a hitman’

Pope Francis has compared having an abortion to hiring a hitman and said the procedure can never be condoned, even when the foetus is gravely sick.Speaking at a Vatican-sponsored anti-abortion conference, he urged doctors and priests to support families to carry all pregnancies to full term.“Is it licit to throw away a life to resolve a problem?” he asked his audience. “Is it licit to hire a hitman to resolve a problem?”The pontiff said that the matter was not a religious issue but a human one.And he denounced decisions to abort pregnancies based on prenatal testing, saying a human being is “never incompatible with life”.It is not the first time the Pope has spoken out strongly against abortion but his new comments come little more than a week after the issue was pushed into the global spotlight when the US state of Alabama passed highly restrictive laws banning abortion in almost all cases, including where pregnancies have been caused by rape.The bill’s architects expect that it will be defeated in the lower courts, but hope that it will therefore come before the country’s newly conservative Supreme Court.If judges there uphold the bill, it will give the green light for other states across the US to impose similarly draconian measures.Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio are among others which have also passed new abortion restrictions in recent months with the same goal in mind.

Macron Chastened as French Voters Hand Narrow Victory to Le Pen

Macron’s Republic on The Move had 21.9% of the vote compared with 24.1% for the anti-European National Rally with 90% of ballots counted . In the last EU vote in 2014 Le Pen beat the conservatives by 4 percentage points with Macron’s Socialist predecessor Francois Hollande trailing in third. The result is a setback for 41-year-old Macron in his battle for legitimacy as he tries to persuade the rest of the European Union to pursue tighter integration.

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.

Bodies in submerged Missouri vehicle bring storm toll to 9

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The bodies of a man and a woman were discovered Friday in a submerged vehicle near the Mississippi River in Missouri, bringing the death toll to nine from storms that have ravaged the central U.S. this week and threaten major flooding through the holiday weekend.

First American Financial Data Leak Exposed Millions of Mortgage-Related Files

The leak of hundreds of millions of records by real estate title insurance company First American Financial could put the most private personal information of many American consumers at risk. The...

Pelosi grapples with Democratic Party's impeachment obsession

Democrats double down on impeachment; reaction from Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs and radio talk show host Larry Elder.

Iraq warns of 'danger of war' as Iran's top diplomat visits

Iraqi leaders has warned of the risks of war during a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, whose country is locked in a tense standoff with the United States. Zarif's visit to neighbouring Iraq -- which is caught in the middle of its two allies, the US and Iran -- follows a decision by Washington to deploy 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East. "We are currently repelling all the efforts of war against Iran, whether economic or military," Zarif said at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Ali al-Hakim.

How the Alabama abortion law is roiling Democratic and Republican politics

The divisive issue of abortion is not only widening the gulf between Democrats and Republicans, it’s also sowing division within the parties.

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.

Huawei founder says he would oppose Chinese retaliation against Apple: Bloomberg

Huawei Technologies' founder and Chief Executive Ren Zhengfei told Bloomberg https://bloom.bg/2HT7DUY that retaliation by Beijing against Apple Inc was unlikely and that he would oppose any such move from China against the iPhone maker. When asked about calls from some in China to retaliate against Apple, Ren said that he would "protest" against any such step if it were to be taken by Beijing.

European elections 2019 results: Brexit Party expected to win most UK seats

Nigel Farage's Brexit Party is tipped to win the most UK seats in the European Parliament elections, with establishment parties forecast to lose their majority across the European Union. Official exit polls are revealing a tough night for establishment parties across the continent, while voter turnout is at 51 per cent according to the EU Parliament - its highest since 1994. In France, Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party will take top spot, with 23.2 per cent of the vote against Macron's centrist grouping on 21.9 per cent according to polls. In Germany, Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and the centre-left Social Democratic Union could be on course for their worst result at European elections. The CDU are polling just 28 per cent of the vote, down from 38 per cent in 2014 - a result which would be a significant blow to Mrs Merkel. It looks to be an even worse night for the SPD who are polling at just 15.5 per cent, and who could leapfrogged into second place by the Green Party on 22 per cent. Votes are being counted across 28 EU countries with polls closing at 10pm, and official provisional results for the UK are expected shortly after. European election: EU results By the early hours of Monday, we should have results from the majority of UK regions, allowing us to see just how seismic a political shift has taken place.  Pre-election polls indicated that the two large establishment blocs in the European Parliament, which comprise a host of allied parties from each country, would lose seats under a tide of both populist and liberal support. While the centre-Right European Peoples' Party (EPP) and centre-Left Socialists & Democrats (S&D;) are likely to remain the largest parliamentary groups, forecasts indicated they would collectively lose dozens of seats. UK polls show the Brexit Party winning the most seats In the UK, Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is expected to gain the most seats, ahead of the two major parties. This would mark a repeat of his success with Ukip in the 2014 European election. Labour and the Conservatives were both polling at less than 20 per cent in the run-up to the vote, with some experts predicting that Theresa May's Tories could fall to their lowest vote share in a national election since they formed in 1834. The Lib Dems, Greens and Change UK - all backers of a second referendum - collectively had support of 30 per cent of the public in pre-election polls on election day, against no-dealers Ukip and the Brexit Party's collective 36 per cent.  EU parliamentary elections tracker, four-poll rolling average Polling shows that revoking Article 50 and a no-deal Brexit - the two extremes of the Europe debate - are currently the most popular outcomes among the public, and parties were fighting to claim this political ground ahead of the vote. The lack of a Remain alliance - with the Lib Dems, Greens and Change UK all competing and splitting the pro-European vote - makes their job of converting votes into seats even harder. An analysis of regional polling data showed that the Greens, Lib Dems and Change UK would stand to win an additional 10 MEPs at the EU elections if they stood as a single anti-Brexit entity, giving them a total of 18 seats. In 2014, Nigel Farage's Ukip topped the polls, securing 27.5 per cent of the national vote and 24 MEPs. Most of these MEPs have now defected to other parties now, including the Brexit Party. EU Parliament elections 2014: UK results Europe-wide establishment parties expected to lose their majority At a continent level, the European Union's established centre-Left and centre-Right blocs were forecast to lose their combined majority in the elections. The pre-election polls indicated that the two large pan-European blocs, the EPP and the S&D;, will lose seats under a tide of both populist and liberal support. European Election seat forecast The loss of their combined majority is likely due to the rise of the liberal Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and eurosceptic Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF). The latter of these blocs, the populist-Right ENF, is poised to morph into a new group called European Alliance of People and Nations after the election, under Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.  Political groups of the European Parliament The ALDE and ENF made the largest gains in the election, leading experts to warn that the new Parliament could be more fractious with majorities harder to come by.

Jayme Closs kidnapping: Jake Patterson jailed for life for killing girl’s parents and keeping her prisoner

The kidnapper of 13 year-old Jayme Closs has been jailed for life after she told the judge she wanted him “locked up forever” for murdering her parents and keeping her prisoner for 88 days.Jake Patterson, 21, targeted the teenager after spotting her getting on a school bus in a rural area of Wisconsin while he was driving to work at a cheese factory.After two aborted attempts to kidnap her, he dressed up in black clothing, armed himself with his father’s shotgun and drove to her home in Barron in the early hours of 15 October.Her shot her father James Closs through a window in the front door, blasted the lock and entered the house. After finding the bathroom locked he broke down the door and discovered Jayme and her mother clinging to each other in the bathtub.Patterson tied Jayme up with tape and shot Denise Closs in the head as she sat next to her daughter. He then dragged Jayme through her father’s blood and put her in the truck of his car before driving to his remote cabin about 60 miles away in Gordon, Douglas County.Patterson kept her captive under a bed and hit her with a curtain rod, Wright said. “He kept her in constant fear, threatening her, telling her things would get worse,” said district attorney Brian Wright.Jayme’s disappearance mystified authorities until she finally escaped on 10 January while Patterson was away. She flagged down a neighbour and Patterson was arrested by police minutes later as he returned to the cabin. The killer pleaded guilty last month to two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping.Jayme did not appear at the sentencing but her statement was read out in court by a family attorney.“He thought that he could own me but he was wrong. I was smarter,” the statement said. “I was brave and he was not. ... He thought he could make me like him, but he was wrong.“For 88 days he tried to steal me and he didn’t care who he hurt or who he killed to do that. He should be locked up forever.” Judge James Babler called Patterson the “embodiment of evil” before sentencing him to consecutive life sentences without the possibility of release on the homicide charges. He also ordered Patterson to serve 25 years in prison and 15 years of extended supervision on the kidnapping count. “There’s no doubt in my mind you’re one of the most dangerous men to ever walk on this planet,” Babler said. Offered a chance to speak, Patterson offered an apology: ”I would die,” he said. “I would do absolutely anything ... to bring them back. I don’t care about me. I’m just so sorry. That’s all.” In statements written while in prison, the killer said he had succumbed to fantasies about keeping a young girl and torturing and controlling her.He started looking for an opportunity to kidnap someone, even deciding he might want to take multiple girls and kill multiple families.After seeing Jayme, he decided then that “she was the girl he was going to take.” Patterson’s attorneys, Richard Jones and Charles Glynn, told the judge that Patterson was isolated and that he overreacted to loneliness. The killer was also ordered to register as a sex offender.Jayme’s aunt, Jennifer Smith, said after the sentencing that this was an important step in helping Jayme to move forward.She said the family believes the outcome will give Jayme some “much needed peace of mind".Additional reporting by Associated Press

Immaculate 1992 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Will Cost You $17k

Buying a first-generation Land Rover Discovery used to be cheap. The Land Rover Discovery has endured hard times in the used car marketplace. As the Range Rover Classic has quickly become one of the most desirable, sought after and expensive collector cars on the planet, those of more rational or ‘peasant status’ have turned to the humbled Discovery in search of everyday practicality with up-coming collector car status.

Trump becomes first foreign leader to meet Japan's new emperor

Donald Trump on Monday became the first foreign leader to meet with Japan's newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito -- an honour Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes will help charm the US president when it comes to thorny trade talks. The palace visit in the morning, followed by a royal banquet in the evening, was the main event in a feel-good trip that started Saturday and has seen Abe and Trump playing golf, eating out, watching sumo and generally enjoying an all-Japanese weekend. Dining with Abe and their wives at a typical Tokyo grill restaurant on Sunday, Trump said he "had a great time" and was looking forward to meeting Naruhito, who took the Chrysanthemum Throne only three weeks ago, after his father stepped down in the first abdication in two centuries.

Former Thai Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda dies at 98

BANGKOK (AP) — Prem Tinsulanonda, who as an army commander, prime minister and adviser to the royal palace was one of Thailand's most influential political figures over four decades, died Sunday at age 98.

Support for abortion rights grows as some U.S. states curb access: Reuters/Ipsos poll

The poll found that 58% of American adults said abortion should be legal in most or all cases, up from 50% who said that in a similar poll that ran in July 2018. While support broke down along partisan lines, passions were higher among registered Democrats, with 81% saying abortion should be legal in most or all cases, while 55% of registered Republicans said it should be illegal in most or all cases. This year, eight Republican-led states have passed new restrictions on abortion, measures that activists said are aimed at provoking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

Venezuela's Rival Sides to Resume Talks in Norway Next Week

“Norway commends the parties for their efforts and appreciates their disposition,” Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said in a statement on Saturday. A multipronged diplomatic push to break Venezuela’s political stalemate began last week, with a European Union mission visiting Caracas and envoys from both President Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido, the National Assembly leader recognized as interim president by some 50 nations.

Iran state TV fires managers over 'insult' to Sunnis

Iranian state TV has fired two channel managers over a live programme deemed insulting to Sunni Muslims, it said in a statement Sunday. The sackings at Channel 5 came after a broadcast on May 20 celebrating the birthday of the second imam in Shiite Islam, Hassan ibn Ali. During the programme, religious chanter and story-teller Ahmad Qadami recited a eulogy that "insulted the sanctities of Sunni Muslims", according to official news agency IRNA.

Rescuers search for survivors after Oklahoma tornado kills at least two

The tornado that hit El Reno on Saturday night was the latest in a barrage of violent weather that is expected to continue after pounding the Central Plains states last week with deadly tornadoes, high winds, drenching thunderstorms and widespread flooding. In addition to the two fatalities, 29 people suffered minor to critical injuries in the El Reno twister and hundreds more were displaced, the city's mayor said. People have absolutely lost everything." Rescue workers searched the debris field that had been a mobile home park and an Americas Best Value Inn motor lodge where the tornado did its worst damage in the community about 25 miles (40 km) west of Oklahoma City.

Be All You Can Be: All of the Reasons People Join the U.S. Army

All the reasons why. Americans join the Army for plenty of reasons: for country, family, and honor. According to a new study of enlisted soldiers, however, a core motivation is relatively simple: for money.A RAND Corporation exhaustive survey of 81 soldiers between E-1 and E-4 suggests that the choice to enlist is influenced by two overlapping factors: institutional ones like family and duty, and occupational ones like professional development and job stability.(This article by James Clark originally appeared at Task & Purpose. Follow Task & Purpose on Twitter. This article first appeared in 2018.)But while 37% of soldiers identified cited both institutional and occupational reasons for joining the Army, a full 46% said they enlisted due to purely occupational reasons; only 9% said they joined for entirely institutional ones. (Interestingly, those who did cite service as a calling were mostly medics.)

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.

MacBook Pro teardown dives into Apple’s efforts to improve its keyboard design

After years of controversy and deserved criticism, Apple earlier this week introduced a refreshed MacBook Pro with a slightly tweaked design that, we can only hope, will address longstanding complaints about the butterfly-switch keyboard originally introduced in 2016.At this point, it's been well-documented that the MacBook Pro keyboard is prone to failure if even the slightest piece of dust wedges itself underneath the keys. As recently as last month, Apple acknowledged that some users were still experiencing problems with their "third-generation butterfly keyboard." And while not a widespread issue by any means, it's simply unacceptable for this type of issue to arise on a notebook as pricey as a MacBook Pro.With the latest iteration of the MacBook Pro, Apple can hopefully put all keyboard-related criticisms in the rearview mirror. As Apple explained to a handful of publications this week, the new MacBook Pro keyboard employs "new materials" designed to lower the incidence of keys not performing or registering twice after a single press.In light of that, iFixit recently did what it does best: it tore apart a brand new MacBook Pro to better understand the steps Apple is taking to improve overall keyboard performance and reliability. The iFixit folks did uncover a new transparent material on the keyboard switch made out of nylon, though they weren't entirely sure what "problem Apple's engineers tried to solve using this updated material."The full teardown -- which touches on a number of other slight design changes -- can be viewed over here and is well worth checking out for anyone with an interest in how Apple's notebooks are put together and how everything looks when torn apart.Keyboard tweaks aside, Apple's new MacBook Pro refresh features 13 and 15-inch models and boast 8th and 9th-gen Intel Core processors."MacBook Pro now delivers two times faster performance than a quad-core MacBook Pro and 40 percent more performance than a 6-core MacBook Pro, making it the fastest Mac notebook ever," Apple's press release reads in part.As is to be expected, the new MacBook Pro models don't come cheap, with the entry-level models starting at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively.

Bolton says latest North Korea missile test violates U.N. resolution

Bolton says latest North Korea missile test violates U.N. resolution, which contrasts with President Donald Trump's assessment of "very standard."

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.

India's Economy Needs Tougher Reform. How Will Modi Use His Election Mandate?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a historic second five-year term — with a single-party majority — for the Bharatiya Janata Party this week. He campaigned…

Rouhani says Iran could hold referendum on nuclear programme as tensions with US rise

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani has suggested that the Islamic Republic could hold a public referendum on its nuclear programme, in the wake of rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. "Article 59 of the Constitution (referendum) is a deadlock breaker ... and could be a problem-solver at any junction," the semi-official news agency ILNA quoted Rouhani as saying late on Saturday. The statement followed Mr Rouhani’s public dressing-down by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his handling of the country’s fast-unravelling nuclear deal. In recent weeks, Mr Rouhani responded to a new round of crippling US economic sanctions against Tehran by threatening to walk away from terms of the 2015 agreement, which the US withdrew from last year. This approach appears to have pushed the country uncomfortably close to military confrontation with the US. Since US President Donald Trump withdrew, his government has dialled up pressure on Iran by blocking global oil exports and stoking long-simmering tensions in the region. Citing an unnamed threat against American troops in the Middle East, the US sent warships and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf earlier this month, further escalating the potential for conflict. Tehran has described the US buildup of troops and material as psychological warfare and a political game. While many in Iran’s leadership have insisted they do not want a war with the US, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s public chastising of the Islamic Republic’s president reflects his more hawkish position.   Ayatollah Khamenei has long maintained the view that Iranian negotiators surrendered too much in the deal. Last summer, he said they had “trespassed the red lines that had been set” and that the country owed the little it had thanks to his advice to Mr Rouhani. Without this guidance, the ayatollah said, “we would have given up more.” Mr Rouhani’s move to put a referendum on the table could help him settle this internal dispute without losing face and provide political cover for whichever path voters backed.  The Iranian public has been broadly supportive of the nuclear deal and its attendant possibilities for economic growth. The country’s middle classes in particular have been exhausted by years of sanctions and currency depreciation. But there is also an alternate view that sees a referendum as a device to offer Iranian leadership a pathway back to enrichment. Iran has held three referendums since its 1979 Islamic revolution, the first to approve the set-up of an Islamic Republic and the second to approve and amend the constitution. Mr Rouhani said he proposed a third, on the nuclear issue, to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei back in 2004 while negotiating the nuclear deal.

DEFEATED: These are the 5 Worst U.S. Generals Who Ever Served

The American Civil War was a factory for producing bad generals such as Braxton Bragg and Ambrose Burnside.It would be nice if all American generals were great. How might Vietnam or Iraq have turned out if a George Washington, a Ulysses Grant or a George Patton had been in command?(This first appeared several years ago.) Alas, call it the laws of probability or just cosmic karma, but every nation produces bad generals as well as good ones—and America is no exception.What is a bad general? Defining that is like defining a bad meal. Some would say that failure on the battlefield warrants censure. Others would say that it is not victory, but success in fulfilling a mission that counts.But for whatever reason, some American commanders have lost the battle for history. Here are five of America's worst generals:Horatio Gates:Great generals have great talents, and usually egos and ambitions to match. Yet backstabbing your commander-in-chief in the middle of a war is taking ambition a little too far. A former British officer, Gates rose to fame as Continental Army commander during the momentous American defeat of a British army at Saratoga in 1777.Many historians credit Benedict Arnold and others with being the real victors of Saratoga. Gates thought otherwise, and fancied himself a better commander than George Washington. It's not the first time that someone thought he was smarter than his boss. But Gates could have doomed the American Revolution.

Trump urges Democrats to 'get over their anger' about Mueller report

Media praises Pelosi for 'getting under Trump's skin'; panel reaction and analysis on 'Hannity.'

NASA captures an incredible photo of a creeper galaxy

Most galaxies are traveling away from our galaxy, not closer to it. Still, there are exceptions. Take Messier 90, one of the few galaxies that appears to be traveling towards our own Milky Way galaxy. Recently, NASA's Hubble telescope caught an awe-inspiring photo of the galaxy. Here it is in full. Messier 90 is part of the Virgo cluster, a collection of about 1,200 galaxies Image: ESA/Hubble & NASA, W. Sargent et SEE ALSO: SpaceX just blasted a critical NASA instrument into space Because the universe is expanding, most galaxies are moving away from the Milky Way galaxy. Consequently, these galaxies appear to be on the red side of the spectrum, a phenomenon known as redshift. Messier 90, however, compresses the frequency of its light as it moves closer to us. That makes it fall closer to the blue side of the spectrum, a phenomenon known as blueshift. It's important to note that the Virgo cluster, of which Messier 90 is a part, is moving away from us. But Messier 90 is actually moving faster than other galaxies in the cluster, making it appear as if it's racing towards the Milky Way. The cluster's colossal mass accelerates some of these galaxies to very high velocities. Just look at how pretty it makes them. Messier 90 is a looker Image: NASA, ESA, STScI, and V. Rubin (Carnegie Institution of Washington), D. Maoz (Tel Aviv University/Wise Observatory) and D. Fisher (University of Maryland) I would totally take a selfie with this galaxy. WATCH: Marvel intends to introduce a gay character 'soon'

China digs in for protracted trade fight with US

China is digging in for a tough period of deteriorating ties with the United States, fanning the flames of patriotism with Korean War films, a viral song on the trade war, and editorials lambasting Washington. The trade spat has turned into a war of words since President Donald Trump blacklisted Huawei last week over concerns the telecom giant's equipment could be used by Beijing for espionage. A commentary on state-run Xinhua news agency Friday said China now had a "deeper understanding" of US "capriciousness" and was ready to fight with its "Long March" spirit.

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.