Owensboro

White House warns Syria may be readying chemical attack

The White House warned strongman Bashar Assad that his regime would pay heavily for the slaughter of civilians.

Hillary Clinton: Reading ‘Harry Potter’ builds compassion for immigrants, refugees

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cited a study that found reading “Harry Potter” helped to build compassion for marginalized groups in children.

Philando Castile's family reaches $3M settlement in death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mother of Philando Castile, a black motorist killed by a Minnesota police officer last July, has reached a nearly $3 million settlement with the city that employed the officer, avoiding a federal wrongful death lawsuit that attorneys said could have taken years to resolve.

Basically Everyone but Russia Now Looks on the U.S. Less Favorably

The U.S. is less popular under Trump.

China's verdant 'forest city' will fight pollution with a million plants

If tree-covered skyscrapers act like enormous air filters, this cluster of buildings will be a clean air oasis. China has broken ground on a "forest city" in the southern city of Liuzhou. The development, which will span two-thirds of a mile along the Liujiang River, involves blanketing offices, apartments, hotels, and schools with more than a million plants and about 40,000 trees. SEE ALSO: How drones are helping to plant trees The verdant towers will help soak up urban air pollution, produce clean oxygen, and boost local biodiversity. The greenery also provides shade on sunny days and acts as an insulating blanket during winter, allowing tenants to use less heating and electricity. Liuzhou Forest City will span 175 hectares, or 0.67 miles, along the Liujiang River.Image: stefano boeri architettiIf the concept sounds familiar, that's because these buildings are the work of Stefano Boeri Architetti, the same architecture firm behind the two "vertical forest" buildings planned for Nanjing in eastern China.  Liuzhou city officials commissioned the Italian company to build the development, which will host about 30,000 people and be connected to the main Liuzhou city — population 3.8 million — via a fast-rail line used by electric cars. The forest city, now under construction, is expected to be completed by 2020, the Milan-based architects confirmed by email. 'Vertical forest' buildings in the Liuzhou development.Image: stefano boeri architettiThe development is a flashy but tiny effort to combat the dangerous smog and toxic air pollution that's choking China's industrialized cities. It comes as China is building more wind and solar power than any country in the world to slash emissions from coal plants, factories, and vehicles, and to combat climate change. Stefano Boeri's firm, which recently completed two verdant towers in Milan, is planning to expand into other smoggy cities, including China's Shijiazhuang, Guizhou, Shanghai, and Chongqing. In the Liuzhou Forest City, buildings, parks, and gardens will absorb almost 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide and 57 tons of fine dust pollutants per year, while producing about 900 tons of oxygen, the architects said in a press release.  By comparison, the two green towers in Nanjing will absorb 25 tons of carbon dioxide and produce 0.06 tons of oxygen.  An electric railway will link the 'forest city' to the main Liuzhou city.Image: stefano boeri architettiBeyond sucking up toxic air, the urban greenery is also expected to stifle noise pollution and support biodiversity by providing a habitat for the local birds, insects, and small animals that inhabit Liuzhou. The project will include residential areas, commercial and recreational spaces, plus two schools and a hospital. Along with plants, the buildings will also feature rooftop solar panels to produce clean electricity and use geothermal energy systems for interior air-conditioning. Stefano Boeri Architetti said the Liuzhou Forest City represents its broader effort to design a "new generation" of architecture and urban environments to address climate change. WATCH: China's big, beautiful, green 'vertical forests' will suck up toxic smog

Community buy Texas man car after finding him walking 3 miles to and from work in 32 degree heat

A man who was forced to walk miles to work in sweltering heat, has been bought a car by members of his local community. Justin Korva regularly braved temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) to get to his job at Taco Casa in Rockwell, Texas. The 20-year-old was picked up on his three-mile trek one morning by Andy Mitchell, who posted a picture of pair on Facebook next to a message explaining his journey.

Man with Super Smiley Mugshot Allegedly Threatened to Kill Lawmaker on Facebook: Cops

Cops say Steve St. Felix threatened Republican State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz.

Pence to join Senate Republican leaders in healthcare push

By Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate pushed on Tuesday to gather enough support to pass a healthcare bill, but got little help from a report saying the measure would cause 22 million Americans to lose medical insurance over the next decade. Vice President Mike Pence was expected to join Senate Republicans for a policy lunch on Capitol Hill before hosting conservative senators for dinner.

How To Protect Yourself Against Petya Ransomware

A ransomware attack known as Petya has hit computer systems around the world. Here's how to protect yourself from the attack.

Can Democratic pediatrician Mai-Khanh Tran unseat one of the most powerful House Republicans in 2018?

In many ways, Dr. Mai-Khanh Tran isn’t all that different from millions of other Democrats who have been dismayed or depressed or indignant since Donald Trump was elected president. On election night, Tran watched in shock as the returns rolled in. The next morning, she wept at work — Tran is a pediatrician — with her colleagues.

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong detained by police 

Hong Kong student pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong was detained by police on Wednesday after an anti-China protest ahead of a visit by President Xi Jinping. Wong was among around 30 protesters who had staged a three-hour sit-in at a harbourfront statue and were led away into police vans. Xi's visit this week marks 20 years since Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain and comes at a time when fears are growing that Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city.

3 Chicago officers accused of lying about teen's shooting

CHICAGO (AP) — Three Chicago police officers have been indicted on charges that they conspired to cover up and lie about what happened when a white police officer shot a black teenager 16 times — which prompted outrage when a video of the killing was finally released.

15 Still Missing After Tourist Boat Sinks in Colombia

The latest on the tourist boat packed with more than 150 passengers that capsized, leaving at least six people dead.

Mystery of missing Chinese scholar shakes up Illinois school

CHICAGO (AP) — Yingying Zhang, the daughter of a working-class factory driver from China, took the same career path as many other young Chinese academics before her: She travelled to a university in the U.S. with dreams of one day landing a professorship and being able to help her parents financially.

Yes he can: Obama returns to Indonesia for family vacation

By Jessica Damiana JAKARTA (Reuters) - From white water rafting in Bali to visiting temples on Java, former U.S. President Barack Obama's private family holiday is being closely tracked in Indonesia where he spent four years as a child. Obama was six when he moved to Jakarta after his American mother, Ann Dunham, married an Indonesian man following the end of her marriage to Obama's Kenyan father. "I feel proud that my friend became a president," said Sonni Gondokusumo, 56, a former classmate of Obama at the Menteng 01 state elementary school in Jakarta.

Emmett Till Mississippi civil rights memorial vandalised for second time in two months

An sign marking the site where black teenager was accused of whistling at a white woman - something that would subsequently result in him being lynched - has been vandalised for the second time in two months. The marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail was damaged last month when someone scratched on it. Allan Hammons, whose company manages the Mississippi Freedom Trail, more than a dozen signs established in 2011 to mark seminal moments and locations in the civil rights movements, said the incident was deeply disturbing.

Trump resorts have a fake Time cover on the walls, featuring guess who?

President Trump, sworn enemy of fake news, is also a purveyor of it: the Washington Post reports at least four of his golf resorts have phony Time magazine covers featuring the commander in chief. “Donald Trump: ‘The Apprentice’ is a television smash!” the cover reads, adding an emphatic “Trump is hitting on all fronts … even TV!” across the top. The cover is dated March 1, 2009, the first day of the second season of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” the spinoff Trump hosted before he became president.

Chinese Navy Gets New Indigenously Built Destroyer

The most advanced domestically built military ship is equipped with the latest air, missile, ship and submarine defense systems. China is believed to be planning a total of four such ships.

Father Charged With Murdering 5-Year-Old Son He Had Reported Missing

Aramazd Andressian Sr. has been partying in Las Vegas in the weeks since his 5-year-old son disappeared, authorities said.

Qualcomm’s new fingerprint sensors work through displays, water, and even metal

A BGR exclusive on Tuesday confirmed some bad news: Samsung's hotly anticipated Galaxy Note 8 flagship phone will not have an in-screen fingerprint sensor. Instead, Samsung was forced to use a design similar to what we saw on the Galaxy S8. The fingerprint scanner will be found on the back of the phone next to the rear camera, which is probably one of the worst possible locations for it. Why did Samsung have to compromise? Unfortunately, the third-party embedded fingerprint sensor Samsung wanted to use simply wasn't ready to be mass-produced at the scale Samsung needs for the Note 8. This is obviously bad news for Samsung fans who plan to buy the company's upcoming new flagship phone, but the good news is that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Qualcomm on Wednesday unveiled next-generation fingerprint sensor technology that will enable fingerprint scanners to be embedded not just beneath a smartphone's display, but just about anywhere at all on a device. Dubbed simply Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensors, the new components take Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sense ID fingerprint tech to the next level. The suite includes next-generation ultrasonic fingerprint sensors that can be embedded beneath an OLED display up to 1,200 μm thick, other glass up to 800 μm thick, or even under metal up to 525 μm thick. In other words one of Qualcomm's new fingerprint scanners can be embedded beneath the aluminum housing on the back of a smartphone and still work with no problems. Beyond the ability to be embedded practically anywhere on a phone, there's another huge benefit to utilizing ultrasonic technology: these new scanners will work through water. Have you ever tried to unlock your phone while it's wet, or while your hands have sweat on them? Qualcomm's next-gen sensors use sound waves that reflect off of the user's skin to scan a print, so it works through moisture with no problem. In other words, you'll be able to unlock your phone with no issue when you're at the gym, in the rain, or even in a swimming pool or the ocean. "We are excited to announce Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensors because they can be designed to support sleeker, cutting-edge form factors, unique mobile authentication experiences, and enhanced security authentication," Qualcomm VP Seshu Madhavapeddy said. "This provides OEMs and operators with the ability to offer truly distinct, differentiated devices with added value on truly groundbreaking new devices." Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensors for Glass and Metal will be available to OEMs for development later this month, though commercial products that integrate them aren't expected to go on sale until the first half of 2018. OEMs won't be able to begin testing the Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensor for Display until Q4 2017.

Israel strikes Hamas bases in Gaza after rocket: officials

Israeli airstrikes hit a series of targets in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip overnight, officials said, hours after a rocket from the Palestinian enclave landed in the Jewish state. Strikes were recorded in at least three locations in Gaza, Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses said, with Hamas bases struck near the southern city of Rafah and Gaza City, as well as open land southeast of Gaza City. The Palestinian health ministry said there were no immediate reports of injuries, but an AFP photographer in Gaza saw at least one man bleeding being taken for treatment from a house near the base.

Police: Girl's actions caused her to fall from NY park ride

QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (AP) — A teenage girl's actions, not mechanical malfunctions, caused her to slip under a restraining bar on an amusement park gondola ride before falling into the arms of bystanders below, police said Monday.

4 Dead, Liverless Sharks Wash Ashore in Weird Whodunit

Orca whales have claimed the life of another great white shark by eating its liver and leaving it for dead, making it the fourth such gristly death in less than two months. During a four-day period in early May, researchers reported finding the bodies of three great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) that had washed ashore along South Africa's Western Cape province. Now, a fourth dead, liverless shark has washed ashore, according to a post today (June 26) on the Marine Dynamics blog, a site hosted by a shark cage diving company.

Female teacher arrested for allegedly having sex with student in car

A female substitute teacher has been arrested and charged with alleged sexual contact with a 17-year-old student in Missouri. Loryn Barclay, 24, has been charged with purportedly having sex with the student in his car and at his home on numerous occasions between November 2016 and January 2017. A local police officer who also serves at the school, Jay Jastal, was tipped off about the possible relationship.

Trump promotes faulty White House math on health care

In addition to the elementary math error, the president's tweets attacked CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Washington Post and the New York Times as "fake news."

U.S. worries Russia could step up North Korea support to fill China void

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - As the United States pressures China to enforce United Nations sanctions on its ally North Korea, Washington is concerned that Russia could provide support to Pyongyang and fill any vacuum left by Beijing, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday. "I'm concerned that Russia may backfill North Korea," Haley told U.S. lawmakers in Washington.

Sheriff: Man killed missing son, 5, after Disneyland trip

Investigators suspect the father of a 5-year-old California boy who has been missing for two months killed the child after a family outing at Disneyland in a plot to get back at his estranged wife during a bitter separation, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said Monday.

Two New Mexico Women Hospitalized With The Plague

New Mexico health officials say two women, in their 50s and 60s, were diagnosed and hospitalized with the plague this week. What are the symptoms of the plague?

10 must-have iPhone accessories under $25

Apple’s iPhones are arguably the best smartphones on the planet. The hardware is fantastic, the customer service is positively unbeatable, and the iOS platform is the best mobile software platform in the world. Of course, all that comes at a price — iPhones are also some of the most expensive smartphones out there. You’ve already spent somewhere between $650 and $950 on your iPhone, so now it’s time to save some money. In this post, you’ll find 10 different must-have iPhone accessories that each cost less than $25.

Hostages in Philippine town forced to fight, loot, become sex slaves: army

By Kanupriya Kapoor MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Reuters) - Civilians held hostage by Islamist militants occupying a southern Philippine city have been forced to loot homes, take up arms against government troops and serve as sex slaves for rebel fighters, the army said on Tuesday. Citing accounts of seven residents of Marawi City who either escaped or were rescued, the military said some hostages were forced to convert to Islam, carry wounded fighters to mosques, and marry militants of the Maute group loyal to Islamic State. Some escapees say bodies of residents have been left in the streets, some for weeks, and civilians are distressed by government air strikes and artillery bombardments that have reduced parts of Marawi to rubble.

The Latest: Aid group fears for migrants at Italy border

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The Latest on Europe's response to the large numbers of migrants and refugees trying to reach the continent (all times local):

Why People Are Pissed About Taco Bell's Double Chalupa

What a bummer.

Woman Stabbed to Death While Walking Home Through Park Behind School: 'No One Deserves That'

Debra Gulliver, 33, was stabbed at least 12 times.

Indian PM Narendra Modi escapes infamous Donald Trump handshake with bear hug

The Indian Prime Minister has escaped the infamously tense and awkward handshakes between Donald Trump and other world leaders by going in for a bear hug more than once. Narendra Modi met with the US President at the White House for the first time and avoided the "yanking" handshake of Mr Trump, who tends to pull the other person towards him roughly. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of the first leaders to visit the White House and cameras caught an awkward look on his face just ahead of his Oval Office handshake.

Pope tells new cardinals: be humble, help poor, fight injustice

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis elevated five senior clerics from outside Italy and the Vatican to the top rank of cardinal on Wednesday, urging them to be humble and not forget refugees and victims of war, terrorism and injustice. Appointing new cardinals is one of the most significant powers of the papacy, allowing a pontiff to put his stamp on the future of the 1.2 billion-member Church. Cardinals are the pope's closest advisers in the Vatican and around the world and those under 80 years old are known as "cardinal-electors" because they can choose his successor.

Are Whales Methodically Killing South Africa’s Great White Sharks?

The great white sharks were found dead, their livers removed as if by a surgeon. Some were missing testicles and a heart.

China protests alleged Indian border incursion

China has made a formal protest after accusing Indian border guards of crossing from Sikkim state into its Tibetan territory, China's foreign ministry said Tuesday. India and China have long been embroiled in a bitter border dispute at both ends of the Himalayas, with the two countries accusing soldiers of crossing over into the other's territory. "Our position to uphold our territorial sovereignty is unwavering," spokesman Lu Kang told a regular briefing, adding China has lodged "solemn representations" with India.

These $80 wireless headphones are just as good as $300 Beats

$300 Beats wireless over-ear headphones are a fantastic option if you've got plenty of expendable income. For those of us who want the same build quality and sound quality without spending so much money, we've got just the thing. The Ghostek soDrop 2 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are a bargain at their normal price of $100, offering aptX Bluetooth 4.0 Technology, great battery life and crystal clear HD sound. Right now they're on sale on Amazon though, which means you can get them for just $80. These headphones have been a huge hit with our readers in the past, so definitely check them out if you didn't already grab a pair the last time they were on sale. Here are some key details from the product page: HD Crystal Clear Sound, Let the Beat Drop Full Volume Blast with These Bass Sensitive Headphones from Ghostek® These Headphones Feature Bi-Directional Noise Reduction Technology So That You Can Listen to CD Quality Sound The soDrop 2's Feature aptX® Bluetooth 4.0 Technology That Provide Rich Sound for Any Type of Music. High Quality Soft Leather & Brushed Aluminum Metal Accent the soDrop 2 You Can Connect the soDrop 2'sTo Virtually Any Bluetooth Enabled Device from a Distance Of 30-Feet A Microphone In The Ear Cup Let's You Take Calls Without Having to Remove The Headphones & For The Really Long Trips, Ghostek® Includes a Detachable Male to Male 3.5MM Audio Line Cable. You Can Wear These Headphones for Hours Without Your Ears Feeling Tired

The U.S. Air Force Just Had an Awful Week

Crashes, ground accidents, and tornadoes, and crippled aircraft were all on the menu last week.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat gets Demon’s wide-body look

With only 3,300 destined to be built, the chances of you getting your hands on a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon are slim, even if you can afford the car’s $86,090 price tag. The good news is that you’ll be able to get the Demon’s sexy wide-body look on a new Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, which doesn’t suffer from limited production. Dodge on Tuesday announced that the 2018 Challenger SRT Hellcat will be available with a wide-body design.

Man Held Teen Girl Captive For More Than a Year: Cops

Michael Wysolovski, 31, was arrested and charged with holding Hailey Burns captive after her parents received a tip from a woman in Romania.

The Latest: Vetted refugees can come to US through July 6

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to partially reinstate President Donald Trump's travel ban (all times local):

Kentucky lawyer in $600 million fraud scheme flees U.S.: report

A Kentucky lawyer who pleaded guilty to participating in a $600 million disability fraud scheme has fled to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, local media reported. Eric Christopher Conn, 56, used a fake passport to flee to a country he did not identify, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader, which said it exchanged emails with a person it identified as Conn. The paper said on Sunday that person answered correctly questions only Conn would know. Scott White, Conn's attorney, could not be reached by Reuters for comment, but he told the newspaper that he also received emails from that same address, from a person he believed to be Conn.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman will block all US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and five other countries

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker has announced he will block any future arms sales to six Gulf Region countries while they are engaged in a major dispute over funding for terrorism. Five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members voted to cut ties with fellow Council member Qatar earlier this month. The states, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, claim Qatar has been funding Sunni Islamic terrorism and working on behalf of Iran.