Wednesday, 31 January 2018

Campaigners say UK surveillance powers must change after court ruling

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will need to amend its law allowing for sweeping powers to carry out mass digital surveillance after a court ruled on Tuesday that previous legislation was illegal, civil rights campaigners said.


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Fox News Breaking News Alert

Fox News Breaking News Alert

Clinton, moments before SOTU, explains why she didn't fire campaign adviser

01/30/18 9:31 PM

Meet The Progressive Immigrant Lawmaker Who Will Respond To Donald Trump In Spanish

Meet The Progressive Immigrant Lawmaker Who Will Respond To Donald Trump In SpanishElizabeth Guzman (D) immigrated to the United States from Peru 20 years ago.




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Paul Ryan defends Republican memo release

Paul Ryan defends Republican memo releaseOn Tuesday, January Paul Ryan defended the vote by the U.S. House Intelligence Committee to release a classified memo the GOP says shows anti-Trump bias by the FBI and DOJ




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Lawmakers Wear Black To Donald Trump’s State Of The Union Address

Lawmakers Wear Black To Donald Trump’s State Of The Union AddressDemocratic lawmakers wore black and sported pins in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment and assault on Tuesday as President Donald Trump was set to deliver his first State of the Union address.




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Russian fighter jet 'passes 5ft in front of US surveillance plane' over Black Sea

Russian fighter jet 'passes 5ft in front of US surveillance plane' over Black SeaA Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea on Monday, prompting the American government to protest the manoeuvre as "an unsafe interaction". The US State Department said the Russian jet closed to within five feet and crossed directly in front of the EP-3 Aries II plane. The encounter, first reported by Russia's RIA news agency, cited the defence ministry as saying the US Navy aircraft, did not violate Russian air space. "This is but the latest example of Russian military activities disregarding international norms and agreements," said the State Department. "We call on Russia to cease these unsafe actions that increase the risk of miscalculation, danger to aircrew on both sides, and midair collisions." MT @USNavyEurope : #USNavy EP-3 Aries flying in international airspace over #BlackSea was intercepted by Russian Su-27. Interaction determined unsafe: Su-27 came within 5 feet & crossed thru EP-3’s flight path, causing EP-3 to fly thru Su-27 jet wash. [File Photo] pic.twitter.com/B25rRhpeyU— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) January 29, 2018 Moscow said that "all security precautions" had been observed during the encounter. "After the surveillance plane of the US Navy had changed its course to move away from the border, the Su-27 returned to its base," RIA quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying.  Russian jets and Nato aircraft have frequently come close together over the Black Sea, the Baltic region, Syria and elsewhere. The Pentagon has warned of the dangers of such close encounters in the sky. A Russian Su-27 gets up and close and personal  Credit: US European Command Images released by US European Command last yearshow a Russian SU-27 flying close to the wing of a US RC-135U. The planes are so close that the Russian pilot can be seen in the cockpit.  




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What to watch for in Trump's first State of the Union

What to watch for in Trump's first State of the UnionThe big question looming over President Trump's first State of the Union speech is whether he will mention the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. But what he says will also give clues to his agenda for 2018 and his strategy for the midterm elections. Here's what to look for.




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Wikipedia article of the day for January 31, 2018

The Wikipedia article of the day for January 31, 2018 is Cape sparrow.
The Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus) is a southern African bird. A medium-sized sparrow at 14–16 centimetres (5.5–6.3 in), it has distinctive grey, brown, and chestnut plumage, with large pale head stripes in both sexes. The male has some bold black and white markings on its head and neck. The species inhabits semi-arid savannah, cultivated areas, and towns, from the central coast of Angola to eastern South Africa and Swaziland. Cape sparrows primarily eat seeds, along with soft plant parts and insects. They typically breed in colonies, and search for food in large nomadic flocks. The nest can be constructed in a tree, bush, cavity, or disused nest of another species. A typical clutch contains three or four eggs, and both parents are involved, from nest building to feeding the young. The species is common in most of its range and coexists successfully in urban habitats with two of its relatives, the native southern grey-headed sparrow and the house sparrow, an introduced species. The Cape sparrow's population has not decreased significantly, and is not seriously threatened by human activities.

Dangerously Low on Water, Cape Town Now Faces ‘Day Zero’


By NORIMITSU ONISHI and SOMINI SENGUPTA from NYT World http://ift.tt/2BEwFBZ

Trump’s First State of the Union Address: A Call for Unity That Wasn’t Always Heard That Way


By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2npxolu

2018 State of the Union Fact-Check


By THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2nnJNHj

Turn Off Messenger Kids, Health Experts Plead to Facebook


By CECILIA KANG from NYT Technology http://ift.tt/2FszNn0

Hawaii Missile Alert Wasn’t Accidental, Officials Say, Blaming Worker


By CECILIA KANG from NYT Technology http://ift.tt/2nvhxCb

Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Team Up to Try to Disrupt Health Care


By NICK WINGFIELD, KATIE THOMAS and REED ABELSON from NYT Technology http://ift.tt/2rTY8Qw

James Corden Responds to Nikki Haley’s Grammys Criticism


By GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO from NYT Arts http://ift.tt/2DNPTeD

House Republicans Vote to Release Secret Memo on Russia Inquiry


By NICHOLAS FANDOS from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2rONL0n

Melania Trump, Out of Sight Since Report of Husband’s Infidelity, to Attend State of the Union


By KATIE ROGERS and MAGGIE HABERMAN from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2nki767

Taunted by Trump and Pressured From Above, McCabe Steps Down as F.B.I. Deputy


By ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZO from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2nkxBHp

State of the Union: Trump hails 'new American moment'

The president speaks of "one American family", but Democrats say he has left the nation "fractured".

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State of the Union: Congress divided on Trump speech

The contrasting reactions to the president's speech tell the tale of a deeply divided Congress.

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I'm not a quitter, says Theresa May amid leadership questions

The PM issues a defiant response to critics, as she begins a trade mission to China.

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'Overwhelming' evidence for adding folic acid to flour

The B vitamin, which can prevent birth defects, will not harm the general public, a study says.

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Taliban threaten 70% of Afghanistan, BBC finds

The Islamist group's power and reach have surged since foreign combat troops left, the BBC finds.

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The killer whale that can say 'hello' and 'bye bye'

A killer whale that can mimic words such as "hello" is thought to be the first of its kind to copy human speech.

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Sydney seaplane crash: Sharp turn 'inexplicable', operator says

The aircraft was not on its usual path to Sydney when it crashed, killing six, the operator says.

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Drop in consumer demand hits UK car manufacturing

Lower demand in the UK and confusion over diesel policy are blamed by the industry trade body.

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'Dangerously' drunk tourists may not win insurance claims

Drinking excessive alcohol can invalidate travel insurance cover, but the burden of proof is on the insurer.

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Super blue blood moon: Get ready for a rare celestial show

A lunar eclipse, supermoon and blue moon are about to happen at once. Here's what you need to know.

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Glee actor Mark Salling, 35, found dead

The actor, who had admitted possessing child sex abuse images, is believed to have killed himself.

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Logan Paul 'more popular' than Zoella with children

Study suggests children are seeking edgier content on YouTube, their favourite online site.

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News Daily: Trump's address and May 'not a quitter'

Your morning briefing for 31 January 2018.

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The Papers: BBC pay 'backlash' and speeding 'crackdown'

The front pages report the reaction to the wage review and a police call to end "soft" treatment for speeding drivers.

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The make-up artist making designs with dead insects

Jasmine Ahumada, from California, attaches spiders and bees to her face to create her distinctive looks.

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Skywatchers await 'super blue blood Moon'

A blue blood supermoon and lunar eclipse across Asia heralds a year of lunar science milestones, say scientists.

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'Baby brain': Myth or reality?

"Four in five" women undergo changes in memory and concentration during pregnancy, new research suggests.

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RSPB Minsmere winter starling murmuration

Starlings take to the skies to create a spectacular aerial ballet before settling on roost.

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Why did this council leader just quit?

Claire Kober announced she wouldn't be standing in May's election.

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You're on the verge of losing everything - but you don’t understand why

A run of bad luck left one man struggling to make sense of the UK benefits system - and at risk of losing his home.

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Post-Brexit data sharing crucial, say ex-intelligence heads

Former intelligence chiefs say UK's security expertise should not be bargaining chip in talks with EU.

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'Forget walking 10,000 steps a day'

Experts say there is a better way to get fit than counting your steps.

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Why Ben Whishaw has murder in mind

The James Bond and Paddington star "adores" his new role as the treacherous Marcus Brutus.

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Used clothes: Why is worldwide demand declining?

As the worldwide demand for used and worn clothing plummets, what do we do with our unwanted clothes?

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Why did Kenya's Raila Odinga 'inaugurate' himself as president?

Kenya's main opposition leader stages his own "swearing-in" after two disputed elections. We explain.

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Trump’s Besotted Republicans


By KEVIN BAKER from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2DYXHcC

Trump Tries for a Reset


By ROSS DOUTHAT from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2BF1Wow

A ‘Feel-Good’ Room


By NATALIE PROULX from NYT The Learning Network http://ift.tt/2rW1fY6

Word + Quiz: obstinate


By THE LEARNING NETWORK from NYT The Learning Network http://ift.tt/2E4d181

‘Gloomy.’ ‘Amazing.’ Trump’s Speech Divides the Pundits.


By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM from NYT Business Day http://ift.tt/2FvxiQV

State of the Union, Syria, the Moon: Your Wednesday Briefing


By PATRICK BOEHLER from NYT Briefing http://ift.tt/2Erk0FH

What’s on TV Wednesday: ‘Animals With Cameras’ and ‘Happy!’


By ANDREW R. CHOW from NYT Arts http://ift.tt/2DOSR2m

Gearing Up for Distance and Form in Nordic Combined


By By from NYT Magazine http://ift.tt/2EpqmW3

Melania Trump, Traveling Again Without Her Husband, Emerges at State of the Union


By KATIE ROGERS from NYT U.S. http://ift.tt/2rVQMw5

Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter Lead Knicks in Rout of Nets


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports http://ift.tt/2nkLndi

Corrections: January 31, 2018


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Trump’s Boring, Utterly Terrifying Warmongering


By MICHELLE GOLDBERG from NYT Opinion http://ift.tt/2nnmyNO

House Republicans Vote To Release Classified Memo They Wrote Attacking Russia Probe

House Republicans Vote To Release Classified Memo They Wrote Attacking Russia ProbeWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s Republican allies in Congress advanced their monthslong assault on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election on Monday, voting along partisan lines to release a classified memo slamming officials from the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation who have investigated the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.




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GOP Congressman Calls For Undocumented SOTU Guests To Be Arrested On The Spot

GOP Congressman Calls For Undocumented SOTU Guests To Be Arrested On The SpotWASHINGTON ― About 30 young undocumented immigrants are attending the State of the Union on Tuesday as guests of lawmakers ― and one of their colleagues wants to use the opportunity to have those guests arrested.




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North Korea Pulls Out of a Cultural Event With South Korea Ahead of the Winter Olympics

North Korea Pulls Out of a Cultural Event With South Korea Ahead of the Winter OlympicsNorth Korea pulled out of a joint cultural event with South Korea planned for at the North's Diamond Mountain on Feb. 4




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Trial starts for woman charged with killing her twin

Trial starts for woman charged with killing her twinWAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — A murder trial began Monday for a woman accused of deliberately driving off a cliff in Hawaii and killing her identical twin sister.




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State Officials Fire Employee Who Sent False Missile Alert In Hawaii

State Officials Fire Employee Who Sent False Missile Alert In HawaiiThe emergency worker responsible for sending a false missile alert to people in Hawaii earlier this month actually believed there was an incoming ballistic missile, The Washington Post reports.




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Taiwan holds live-fire drills as tensions with China mount

Taiwan holds live-fire drills as tensions with China mountTaiwanese troops Tuesday staged live-fire exercises simulating a response to an invasion, as China steppeds up pressure on the island's President Tsai Ing-wen and a row over airline routes escalated. The ministry did not specify that the annual drill simulated an invasion by China but said it was intended to "show determination to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait and national security". Tsai last month warned against what she called Beijing's "military expansion" -- the increase in Chinese air and naval drills around the island since she came to power in May 2016.




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U.N. employees in Gaza demonstrate against U.S. aid cut

U.N. employees in Gaza demonstrate against U.S. aid cutBy Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - Schools, clinics and food distribution centers in the Gaza Strip were closed most of Monday by a demonstration by thousands of employees of the United Nations agency that serves Palestinian refugees. Palestinians have been angered by a U.S. decision to cut aid to the United Nations Relief and Welfare Agency (UNRWA), saying it will cause worse hardship in Gaza. More than half the enclave's two million residents depend on support from UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies.




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The Latest: Arizona man confirms selling ammo to shooter

The Latest: Arizona man confirms selling ammo to shooterLAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on court orders by Nevada judges to release documents that had been sealed in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history (all times local):




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GOP Rep. Gaetz joins the 'Infowar' against the FBI

GOP Rep. Gaetz joins the 'Infowar' against the FBI“We’re called conspiracy theorists because we see this cabal right in front of us,” said Gaetz. “We aggregate these data points and show what was really going on.”




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7 Glass Mosaics Around the World That Take Design to New Heights (Literally)

7 Glass Mosaics Around the World That Take Design to New Heights (Literally)




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Joy Behar Challenges Kirsten Gillibrand: Why'd You Push Out Al Franken?

Joy Behar Challenges Kirsten Gillibrand: Why'd You Push Out Al Franken?Joy Behar kicked off an interview with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Monday by confronting the lawmaker for calling on Sen. Al Franken to resign after being publicly accused of sexual misconduct.




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India's 'Unwanted' Girls Number In The Millions, New Report Finds

India's 'Unwanted' Girls Number In The Millions, New Report FindsIndian families’ traditional preference for sons over daughters has led to the existence of millions of “unwanted” girls in the country, a new government report estimates.




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Amazon, eBay Remove 'Chinese Boy' Costumes Featuring Racist 'Slant-Eye' Images

Amazon, eBay Remove 'Chinese Boy' Costumes Featuring Racist 'Slant-Eye' ImagesAmazon UK and eBay UK have received immense backlash after social media users recently noticed “Chinese Boy Fancy Dress Costumes” for sale through the e-commerce sites.




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Shaky start to Syria peace talks in Russia as opposition delegates refuse to leave Sochi airport

Shaky start to Syria peace talks in Russia as opposition delegates refuse to leave Sochi airportA Russian-organised peace conference aimed at ending the war in Syria had a shambolic start on Tuesday, after dozens of opposition delegates refused to leave the airport in Sochi and others backed out at the last minute. Moscow, a staunch Assad ally, is hosting what it has called a Syrian Congress of National Dialogue in the Black Sea resort that it hopes will launch negotiations on drafting a new constitution for Syria after almost seven years of war. But the conference, which is running in parallel to the United Nations-negotiated talks, looked in jeopardy after more than 70 rebel delegates refused to leave the airport until all logos and emblems representing the government were removed. A rebel source told the Telegraph Russia had promised to change or remove the symbol of the congress, which read “Peace to the People of Syria” but only featured the regime flag, only to be greeted by them at the arrivals gate. Sochi conference logo (w/only regime flag) causing problems. Apparently a group of opposition members refused to board one of the buses with it at the airport. They sat at the terminal until other transport was arranged. pic.twitter.com/hjSVlH0uR1— Neil Hauer (@NeilPHauer) January 30, 2018 The Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC), the country's main opposition group, meanwhile said following two days of UN-led talks in Vienna last week that it would not attend the Sochi congress. Turkey, which backs the opposition and is co-sponsoring the talks with Iran, which supports Bashar al-Assad’s government, said it would represent the rebels. Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saud of Idlib's Free Syrian Army claimed the opposition delegation was mistreated by Russian authorities at the airport, where he was detained for several hours Credit: Twitter/CombatChris1 Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, was heckled during his opening statement, with several delegates accusing Moscow of killing civilians in Syria with its air strikes. “In Russia, it's polite to say ‘please’ first,” Mr Lavrov responded, saying they would have a chance to speak later. The conference was initially billed as a two-day event but was cut down to one. Observers noted that much of Tuesday’s programme was taken up with a long lunch and dinner, leaving little time for discussion. Attendees shout slogans prior to a plenary session at the Congress of Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi  Credit: AFP Britain, the US and France did not send any official delegates because of what they say is the government's refusal to properly engage. Western powers support the UN process, which is now in its ninth round but has so far failed to make any major headway. The conference was also also boycotted by Kurdish delegates over Turkey’s offensive on the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia in Afrin, a northern Syrian enclave on the border with Turkey. A few Kurdish officials attended in a personal capacity and reportedly met in private with Russian counterparts on the sidelines of the conference. The main aim of the Sochi talks is to establish a committee to create a post-war constitution for Syria with UN backing, according to a draft statement. However, any deal agreed without he Kurds, which control some 25 per cent of territory in Syria, will unlikely succeed.  The poor start is a blow to Russia, which has been positioning itself a Middle East peace broker and trying to consolidate influence in the region as the US increasingly takes a step back from the Syrian crisis under President Donald Trump. "The whole point of the congress was to have a serious negotiation with the Kurds, or at least the Higher Negotiating Committee (the most relevant opposition body)," Neil Hauer, s security analyst focused on Russia-Syria relations, told the Telegraph from Sochi.  "Neither of them are here, and as such there's not much that can be discussed. Nor will anything announced here have much legitimacy. It will be very difficult for the Russians to spin this as a win." The opposition has accused Russia of not being an honest broker after failing to uphold a deal made in previous round of talks in Kazakhstan. Both sides agreed to so-called de-escalation zones across Syria, which government forces have since violated. Hours before the the congress got underway, nearly a dozen civilians were killed in a pro-government air strike on the largest market in rebel-held Idlib province. The government is now focused on the northwestern province of Idlib, which is dominated by al-Qaeda-linked militants and home to more than 2.6 million people, nearly half of whom have fled from other areas. It appears to have stepped up its bombing campaign in Idlib in recent days. The Observatory reported 90 airstrikes in Idlib on Monday alone.




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Everything you need to know about tomorrow's super blue blood moon

Everything you need to know about tomorrow's super blue blood moonA rare celestial phenomenon will take place January 31, when a super moon, blue moon and total lunar eclipse take place at the same time.




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Schiff: House Intel GOP disgraced for Trump

Schiff: House Intel GOP disgraced for TrumpRep. Adam Schiff talks with Rachel Maddow about the unprecedented lengths to which House Intelligence Committee Republicans are going to undermine Robert Mueller's investigation of Donald Trump.




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China denies report it hacked African Union headquarters

China denies report it hacked African Union headquartersBy Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - China and the African Union dismissed on Monday a report in French newspaper Le Monde that Beijing had bugged the regional bloc's headquarters in the Ethiopian capital. An article published Friday in Le Monde, quoting anonymous AU sources, reported that data from computers in the Chinese-built building had been transferred nightly to Chinese servers for five years. After the massive hack was discovered a year ago, the building's IT system including servers was changed, according to Le Monde.




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Suspect Accused of Killing 4 in Car Wash Shooting Was Jealous, Victim's Family Says

Suspect Accused of Killing 4 in Car Wash Shooting Was Jealous, Victim's Family SaysThe family said he was obsessed with one of the victims




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Gold! Treasure lost at sea in 1857 shipwreck goes on display

Gold! Treasure lost at sea in 1857 shipwreck goes on displaySANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — More than $50 million worth of gold bars, coins and dust that's been described as the greatest lost treasure in U.S. history is about to make its public debut in California after sitting at the bottom of the ocean for more than 150 years.




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Tesla's all-nighter to hit production goal fails to convince Wall Street

Tesla met the target by running 24 hours a day for seven days, setting up a new production line inside a tent on the campus of its Fremont f...