- WorldReuters
U.S. Navy says mine fragments suggest Iran behind Gulf tanker attack
The United States sought on Wednesday to bolster its case for isolating Iran over its nuclear and regional activities by displaying limpet mine fragments it said came from an oil tanker damaged in an attack last week and saying the ordnance looked Iranian in origin. Separately, a senior U.S. official said U.S. intelligence had confirmed that Iranian vessels had approached the damaged tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, as well as a second one, the Front Altair, prior to explosions that damaged their hulls last week. Iran has denied involvement in explosive strikes on those two tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week and on four tankers off the United Arab Emirates on May 12, both near the Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit for global oil supplies.
- NewsAssociated Press
Investigators crack cold case murder of South Dakota woman
The murder of a pharmacist who was raped and strangled in her home in a South Dakota city more than half a century ago has been solved with the use of DNA technology and genealogy databases, police said. Investigators believe Eugene Carroll Field killed 60-year-old Gwen Miller in 1968 when he was a 25-year-old living in Rapid City, Detective Wayne Keefe said at a news conference Monday. It is "a little surreal" to finally identify the killer after 51 years and up to 5,000 hours of work, Keefe said.
PoliticsAFPBiden under fire for recalling 'civility' with racist senators
Joe Biden drew condemnation Wednesday from fellow Democratic presidential contenders and demands for an apology after he defended his old-fashioned political style by recalling the "civility" with which he treated two segregationist US senators. Speaking at a New York fundraiser Tuesday, the ex-vice president and frontrunner for the Democratic nomination told donors that fixing America's "broken" political system would require working across the political aisle to reach consensus with lawmakers with opposing positions, even unrepentant bigots. Biden, who spent more than three decades in the US Senate, named late senators James Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia, both Democrats who fiercely opposed desegregation, as opponents who were in his own party when he entered the chamber in 1973.
- NewsBloomberg
Duterte Stands by China, Doubts Own Fishermen in Sea Collision
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is standing by China over a collision involving the two nations' boats in the South China Sea, with his spokesman casting doubts on local fishermen's accounts of the incident. In his first public statement about what he described as a “maritime incident,” Duterte said China's side should be heard on the collision that resulted in a Philippine vessel carrying 22 fishermen sinking in disputed waters on June 9. The crew were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat and a Philippine Navy ship.
- WorldThe National Interest
This Tank Could Stop a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan
Kris Osborn Security, And that's just for starters. The Trump administration's plan to sell tanks, missiles and ground-launched air defenses to Taiwan embodies what might be called a strategic paradigm shift to empower the small island's deterrence posture against an often-threatened Chinese invasion. While much existing discussion centers upon strengthening Taiwanese air, sea and undersea defenses, there also appears to be an unequivocal need for major land defenses.
- WorldBGR News
Accidental cat filter turns press conference live stream into a meme
In something of a ridiculous and yet lighthearted story, a Pakistani politician's press briefing with journalists recently became comedic fodder after a cat filter was applied to the faces of individuals being recorded via Facebook live. The incident, which was attributed to human error, showcased regional minister Shaukat Yousafzai — and others — with cat ears and whiskers while talking about otherwise serious topics. The cat filter was live for a few minutes before someone noticed it and promptly removed it.
- CelebrityArchitectural Digest
Gloria Vanderbilt’s Instagram Remains an Archive of Her Interior Design Style
Gloria Vanderbilt left behind a colorful legacy when she passed away on Monday at the age of 95, one that spans the worlds of fashion, art, society, and, of course, interior design. Her extravagantly chic Manhattan home is no doubt the best reminder of her eclectic style, and since 2017, she's meticulously documented its interiors on her much-beloved Instagram page. Since Vanderbilt first joined Instagram (with the help of her son, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper), she's used the platform to give her followers a glimpse into multiple rooms in her home, like her dining room, which features 18th-century hand-painted Chinese wallpaper by NYC-based brand Gracie.
- NewsYahoo News
Ocasio-Cortez accuses Trump administration of creating ‘concentration camps on the southern border’
"This administration has established concentration camps on the southern border of the United States for immigrants, where they are being brutalized with dehumanizing conditions and dying," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "The fact that concentration camps are now an institutionalized practice in the home of the free is extraordinarily disturbing," Ocasio-Cortez said. Several conservatives, including Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., quickly denounced what they described as her loose and inaccurate language.
- NewsUSA TODAY
Cracker Barrel turns away Grayson Fritts, detective who called for LGBTQ executions in Tennessee
CLEVELAND, Tenn. A Cracker Barrel in Cleveland, Tennessee, refused to host Knox County Sheriff's Office Detective Grayson Fritts and his church group, citing the restaurant chain's zero-tolerance policy for "discriminatory treatment or harassment of any sort." Fritts and his independent Baptist church in Knoxville had planned a meeting at the Cracker Barrel on June 29.
- WorldReuters
Death toll from China quakes rises to 11
BEIJING/SHANGHAI, June 18 (Reuters) - The death toll from two strong earthquakes in China rose to 11 on Tuesday, with 122 people injured, state media said, adding that rescuers pulled some survivors from rubble in a part of the country that often suffers strong tremors. The quakes, roughly 30 minutes apart, hit the southwestern province of Sichuan late on Monday, with shaking felt in key regional cities, such as the provincial capital of Chengdu and the metropolis of Chongqing. People rushed into the streets and cracks were left in some buildings by the quakes, pictures posted on the social media accounts of state media showed.
- NewsAssociated Press
Man charged in threat to kill gays at St. Louis Pride parade
A suburban St. Louis man accused of telling organizers of the city's Pride parade that he would shoot and kill as many gays as possible at the LGBTQ celebration before turning the gun on himself has been charged with making a terrorist threat, according to court documents. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Edward Terry, 49, of Overland, was charged Tuesday. Marty Zuniga, vice president of PrideFest, said the organization works "hard to produce an event that is safe for all participants." The Pride parade in downtown St. Louis draws hundreds of thousands of people every year and is scheduled to take place June 30.
WorldAFPTrump's Pentagon nominee quits, Iran targets CIA network
President Donald Trump lost his nominee for Pentagon chief on Tuesday, adding to the volatility in a tense standoff with Iran, which claimed to have dismantled a CIA network. Foreign powers are watching the situation in the Mideast with growing concern as Tehran and Washington exchange warnings about an escalation in their conflict. Trump announced on Twitter that Patrick Shanahan was quitting to spend time with his family.
- U.S.Associated Press Videos
Police: Mom drives into Michigan river; 3 dead
Authorities say they've found the body of a woman and her 9-year-old twin daughters after she intentionally drove a car carrying them into a southwestern Michigan river. (June 18)
- BusinessCar and Driver
Photos of the 2020 Ford Explorer
Largely thanks to its new platform, the new Explorer drives far better and has a more pleasant interior. From Car and Driver
- BusinessThe National Interest
Russia's 1st 5th Generation Stealth Fighter: Meet the Secret MiG 1.44
Mark Episkopos Security, A stealth tragedy Over the prior decade, Russia's foray into fifth-generation jet fighter development has become synonymous with the upcoming Su-57. But the Su-57 was only Russia's second attempt at developing a fifth-generation aircraft, preceded by several decades with an altogether different project. This is the story of the ill-fated MiG 1.44.
- ScienceBGR News
New accountability report finds NASA has been paying Boeing huge bonuses for failing
Between its various ongoing Mars missions, orbiters studying asteroids and other planets, and a Moon trip on the horizon, NASA spends a lot of money. Boeing, which has contracts with NASA to build the rocket for its Space Launch System (SLS) is a big recipient of that cash, and a new government accountability report reveals that NASA has not only been paying more and more despite Boeing falling way behind on its deadlines, it's actually also been paying the company bonuses for its performance. As Ars Technica explains, the new government report is somewhat troubling, especially when you consider that the SLS program has now fallen well behind schedule.
- PoliticsThe Guardian
The secret to Elizabeth Warren's surge? Ideas
On Friday, the Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren co-sponsored a bill to impose mandatory fines on companies that have data breaches. It was the kind of consumer welfare legislation that in the past would have been unremarkable. Fewer of these voters were enthusiastic or comfortable with Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, who have lost 11 and six points, respectively, since March.
WorldAFPErdogan attends prayers for Egypt's ex-president Morsi
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday attended an Istanbul prayer service for former Egyptian leader Mohamed Morsi who died after collapsing during a trial hearing in a Cairo court. Erdogan, a key supporter of Morsi, joined the afternoon prayers at the historic Fatih mosque, an AFP photographer reported. Turkey's relations with Cairo deteriorated after the Egyptian military, then led by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ousted Morsi in 2013.
- WorldReuters
Qatar sends technical experts to Israel, eyeing new Gaza power line
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Qatari technical delegation held talks in Israel and the Gaza Strip this week about helping pay for a proposed new power line between them, officials on both sides said on Tuesday, marking a potential expansion of Doha's aid efforts for Palestinians. Qatar has in recent years funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into relief projects in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which it views as helping stave off privation and fighting with Israel. The intervention is approved by Israel but has gone largely unacknowledged by rightist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, along with U.S.-allied Arab leaders, has cold-shouldered Doha for its ties to Iran and Islamist groups like Hamas.
- WorldAssociated Press
Earthquake in southern China kills 11 people, injures 122
A strong earthquake that hit Sichuan province in southern China late Monday night killed 11 people and injured 122, the local government said. The Yibin city government posted the casualty toll on its social media accounts Tuesday morning. Xinhua news agency said rescue efforts were underway in the stricken area.
PoliticsUSA TODAYMeghan McCain hurls harsh words at Joy Behar on 'The View' but it doesn't affect friendship
What's a little B-word between friends? "The View" kicked off Wednesday's episode, not addressing Bella Thorne's critical comments of host Whoopi Goldberg, but with a heated discussion between two of their own: Meghan McCain and Joy Behar, while discussing a President Donald Trump rally. "It's not a fun job for me every day," McCain, who became a host in 2017, said to Behar.
- LifestyleArchitectural Digest
12 Designs We Need From Wayfair’s Super Affordable New Collection
They had us at bright and budget-friendly Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
NewsAFPHistoric US drug bust nets 16 tonnes of cocaine
US authorities said Tuesday they had seized around 16 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1 billion in a historic drug bust aboard a ship at the port of Philadelphia. "This is one of the largest drug seizures in United States history," tweeted William McSwain, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Philadelphia. "Members of the ship's crew have been arrested and federally charged" following the drug bust at Philadelphia's Packer Marine Terminal, McSwain's office said on Twitter.
- WorldNational Review
U.S. Will Send 1,000 More Troops to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
The Trump administration plans to send 1,000 more troops as well as additional military resources to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to simmer, the Defense Department announced Monday. “In response to a request from the US Central Command for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East,” read a statement from acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. “United States does not seek conflict with Iran,” Shanahan said, but he highlighted recent threatening behavior by the state terror sponsor that could endanger U.S. forces.
U.S.FOX News VideosSen. Rand Paul: It's a mistake to keep ramping things up in the Middle East
Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Rand Paul on U.S. sending additional troops to Middle East amid tensions with Iran.
