Irish manufacturing conditions improve for first time since May – PMI

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish manufacturing business conditions improved in October for the first time since May as output and new orders returned to growth, a survey showed on Friday. The AIB IHS Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) climbed to 50.7 in October from 48.7 in September. The rise above the 50-point mark separating expansions from contractions came as panelists said they had increased their production in line with a pick-up in customer demand.

The post Irish manufacturing conditions improve for first time since May – PMI appeared first on Firstpost.

South Korea October factory activity shrinks for sixth month as new export orders return to contraction – PMI

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's factory activity contracted for the sixth straight month in October but at a slightly slower pace, a private business survey showed on Friday, as cooling global demand and trade tensions continued to weigh on the export-reliant economy. The Nikkei/Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) inched up to 48.4 at the beginning of the final quarter, from 48.0 in September, but remained well below the 50-point level that separates contraction from growth on a monthly basis.

The post South Korea October factory activity shrinks for sixth month as new export orders return to contraction – PMI appeared first on Firstpost.

Japan October factory activity sinks to three-year low, orders fall – PMI

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese factory activity sank to more than a three-year low in October, with the sixth-straight month of contraction largely led by shrinking new orders and output in a fresh warning sign for the world's third-largest economy. The Jibun Bank Final Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 48.4 on a seasonally adjusted basis, hitting the lowest level since June 2016. The figure was down a notch from last week's preliminary October reading of 48.5, and compared to a final 48.9 in the previous month.

The post Japan October factory activity sinks to three-year low, orders fall – PMI appeared first on Firstpost.

World Vegan Day 2019: 7 things you need to know before you turn vegan

On World Vegan Day today here's a look at the things you should consider so that you can make an informed choice if you are considering the switch.

The post World Vegan Day 2019: 7 things you need to know before you turn vegan appeared first on Firstpost.

Tesla Model Y prototype spotted cruising along a California highway

For as often as detractors like to categorize Tesla as a flash in the pan with no long-term prospects for success, the electric automaker has made a habit of proving those naysayers wrong. While Tesla's ability to sell cars has never been an issue, the company's ability to actually turn a profit has long been called into question. Recently, though, Tesla surprised almost everyone when the company posted a quarterly profit of $342 million when most analysts were anticipating a steep quarterly loss.

During the ensuing earnings conference call, Musk couldn't help but heap praise on the company's upcoming Model Y, a crossover version of Tesla's immensely popular Model 3. Notably, Musk said that the Model Y may arrive sooner than anticipated given that production may commence by summer of 2020.

Continue reading...

BGR Top Deals:

1. These wireless earbuds with twice the battery life of AirPods are an incredible deal
2. Anker’s new $100 true wireless earbuds last for 100 hours per charge, and they’re down to $60

Trending Right Now:

1. Man slices his finger off after snake bite, then the doctor tells him it was unnecessary
2. iPhone owners say iOS 13.2 has a serious problem that affects performance
3. PS5 might have one huge advantage over the Xbox and even gaming PCs

Tesla Model Y prototype spotted cruising along a California highway originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 31 Oct 2019 at 22:05:07 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Huawei MatePad Pro leaks with slim bezels, punch-hole camera, stylus

A couple or so weeks ago an unannounced Huawei tablet leaked in some official-looking (yet low quality) renders, showing a punch-hole display housing a selfie camera in one corner, incredibly thin bezels for a tablet, a keyboard accessory, and a stylus that magnetically attaches to the tablet's top side. Today Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, has outed a new press render of the same device, and also provided us with its commercial name. It's going to be called Huawei MatePad Pro, and not MediaPad M7, as previously rumored. Given the design, stylus and keyboard support, and the name, Huawei...

New Zealand vs England, LIVE cricket score, 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Follow our LIVE blog to check the latest score and updates from the first T20I between New Zealand and England played at Christchurch

The post New Zealand vs England, LIVE cricket score, 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch appeared first on Firstpost.

Altria writes down $4.5 billion from its investment in Juul

Facing increasing scrutiny from international and domestic regulators, the Altria Group has decided to write down its investment into the e-cigarette company JUUL by $4.5 billion.

That’s roughly one-third of the $12.8 billion that the tobacco giant had invested into JUUL a little less than one year ago.

What a difference a year has made.

JUUL, which has become synonymous with the vaping phenomenon that has swept the U.S., was once hailed as being at the forefront of a wave of companies that were making smoking obsolete and nicotine consumption safer for consumers.

The company began running into problems as its popularity increased exponentially (in part by allegedly turning to some of the same tactics big tobacco used to target underage consumers).

As the complaints began to roll in, and as JUUL was held responsible for an explosion in the use of tobacco products among underage Americans, the regulatory scrutiny also began to increase.

First the company was compelled to limit its sale of flavored tobacco products. Now it may be forced to pull all of its flavored products outright.

None of the company’s troubles have been helped by the wave of vaping related illnesses that have swept through the U.S. causing several deaths in users across multiple states.

Indeed, a new lawsuit against the company (filed two days ago) alleges that JUUL knowingly sold contaminated pods despite warnings from at least one employee.

First reported by BuzzFeed, the lawsuit was brought by Siddharth Breja, a former senior vice president of global finance at Juul from May 2018 to March 2019.

Breja alleges he was fired for complaining about the charge — a claim that a spokesperson for JUUL called “baseless”.

“[Breja] was terminated in March 2019 because he failed to demonstrate the leadership qualities needed in his role,”a spokesperson for JUUL wrote in an email. “The allegations concerning safety issues with Juul products are equally meritless, and we already investigated the underlying manufacturing issue and determined the product met all applicable specifications.”

The write down by Altria follows an announcement from JUUL that it intends to lay off around 500 people — or roughly 10% of its workforce.

YouTube star Grandpa Kitchen, who cooked gigantic meals for orphans, has died

YouTube channel Grandpa Kitchen has announced its beloved star Narayana Reddy passed away on October 27. The 73-year-old resident of Telangana, India, rose to internet fame through his popular cooking videos, in which he prepared ridiculously large portions of food.

Reddy's outsized meals weren't a simple pursuit of internet notoriety, but a reflection of his equally outsized heart. The results of Reddy's cooking went straight into to the mouths of hungry orphans, while the proceeds from his YouTube channel are reportedly donated to charities.

"Our goal is to provide basic necessities like food, clothing, school supplies and birthday gifts to orphans," states Grandpa Kitchen's Patreon. Read more...

YouTube stars Shane Dawson, Jeffree Star want to put a Conspiracy on your face - CNET

Ex-Apple executive joins startup aimed at banishing smartphone cables

By Stephen Nellis CAMPBELL, California (Reuters) - For over 14 years at Apple Inc , Rubén Caballero had to include a cable with every iPhone design whose wireless engineering he oversaw, from the first prototypes in 2005 to iPhone 11 models on shelves now.

The post Ex-Apple executive joins startup aimed at banishing smartphone cables appeared first on Firstpost.

Japan’s September jobless rate edges up from near three-decade low

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's September jobless rate climbed from near 30-year lows and job availability slipped, government data showed on Friday, suggesting the nation's tightest jobs market in decades may be reaching its peak. Japan's ageing and declining population has led to a tight labour market. But wage increases remain weak and companies are wary of passing on more of their profits to employees due to uncertainty over the economic outlook.

The post Japan’s September jobless rate edges up from near three-decade low appeared first on Firstpost.

UK lawmakers want bank payments ‘speed bump’ to stop scammers

By Huw Jones LONDON (Reuters) - A mandatory 24-hour delay on all first-time payments from one bank account to another would cut mounting fraud in finance, UK lawmakers said in a report on Friday. Parliament's Treasury Select Committee said fraudsters stole over 600 million pounds from consumers in the first half of 2019 and regulators must crack down harder on scammers. With money transfers between accounts taking just seconds, customers or their bank have little time to be aware that a fraud has taken place, the report said

The post UK lawmakers want bank payments ‘speed bump’ to stop scammers appeared first on Firstpost.

Japan financial minister Aso sees no need now for economic stimulus

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Friday he saw no need now to compile stimulus measures to support the economy. Asked about a media report that the government was considering crafting a stimulus plan, Aso said: "I have not received instructions" from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

The post Japan financial minister Aso sees no need now for economic stimulus appeared first on Firstpost.

Japan’s jobless rate rises to 2.4% in September – government

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's jobless rate rose in September from the previous month and job availability slipped, government data showed on Friday.

The post Japan’s jobless rate rises to 2.4% in September – government appeared first on Firstpost.

Man slices his finger off after snake bite, then the doctor tells him it was unnecessary

Getting bitten by a snake obviously isn't fun, but when that snake is a species that is venomous and potentially deadly? Well, then you've got a tough decision to make. A Chinese man was recently put into that incredibly tough situation when a snake believed to be a pit viper sunk its fangs into his finger.

Fearing for his life, the man acted swiftly, slicing his finger clean off before traveling to a local hospital for evaluation. Once he arrived, doctors offered him some good news and some bad news. The good news was that he was perfectly fine, but the bad news? He probably should have left his finger right where it was.

Continue reading...

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1. These wireless earbuds with twice the battery life of AirPods are an incredible deal
2. Anker’s new $100 true wireless earbuds last for 100 hours per charge, and they’re down to $60

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1. iPhone owners say iOS 13.2 has a serious problem that affects performance
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3. Tim Cook hints that an iPhone subscription could be Apple’s next big move

Man slices his finger off after snake bite, then the doctor tells him it was unnecessary originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 31 Oct 2019 at 21:03:04 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Japanese instant-credit provider Paidy raises $143 million from investors including PayPal Ventures

Paidy, a Japanese financial tech startup that provides instant credit to consumers in Japan, announced today that it has raised a total of $143 million in new financing. This includes a $83 million Series C extension from investors including PayPal Ventures and debt financing of $60 million. The funding will be used to advance Paidy’s goals of signing large-scale merchants, offering new financial services and growing its user base to 11 million accounts by the end of 2020.

In addition to PayPal Ventures, investors in the Series C extension also include Soros Capital Management, JS Capital Management and Tybourne Capital Management, along with another undisclosed investor. The debt financing is from Goldman Sachs Japan, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. Earlier this month, Paidy and Goldman Sachs Japan established a warehouse facility valued at $52 million. Paidy also established credit facility worth $8 million with the three banks.

This is the largest investment to date in the Japanese financial tech industry, according to data cited by Paidy and brings the total investment the company has raised so far to $163 million. A representative for the startup says it decided to extend its Series C instead of moving onto a D round to preserve the equity ratio for existing investors and issue the same preferred shares as its previous funding rounds.

Launched in 2014, Paidy was created because many Japanese consumers don’t use credit cards for e-commerce purchases, even though the credit card penetration rate there is relatively high. Instead, many prefer to pay cash on delivery or at convenience stores and other pickup locations. While this makes online shopping easier for consumers, it presents several challenges for sellers, because they need to cover the cost of merchandise that hasn’t been paid for yet or deal with uncompleted deliveries.

Paidy’s solution is to make it possible for people to pay for merchandise online without needing to create an account first or use their credit cards. If a seller offers Paidy as a payment method, customers can check out by entering their mobile phone numbers and email addresses, which are then authenticated with code sent through SMS or voice. Paidy covers the cost of the items and bills customers monthly. Paidy uses proprietary machine learning models to score the creditworthiness of users, and says its service can help reduce incomplete transactions (or items that buyers ultimately don’t pick up and pay for), increase conversion rates, average order values and repeat purchases.

Lost your important files? Get Disk Drill Pro 4 while it’s 78% off

Is there a feeling worse than accidentally deleting your important files? Probably, but this one is definitely near the top of the list.

Fortunately, all is not lost. Instead of sulking, you’ve got a great chance to recover the files using Disk Drill Pro 4. This expert-level software can find lost files in almost any system, and it’s likely much cheaper than overpaying some tech guy to do the same thing.

Disk Drill can recover over 200 types of files on your computer or even on external drives when you connect to a computer. It can even find whole missing partitions. It’s easy to use and could be a lifesaver.

You needn’t wait until an accident happens to protect your important files either. When you install Disk Drill Pro it will safely index your files, making them much easier to recover if and when disaster strikes.

It’s no wonder why some of the biggest companies in the world rely on Disk Drill.

Disk Drill Pro 4 at a glance:

• All future updates and major upgrades included.
• Scan and recover data from virtually any storage device with just the click of a button.
• Recover any file or folder or reconstruct over 200 file types with multiple recovery methods.
• Connect your mobile or storage device and recover data from it in minutes.

A lifetime license to Disk Drill Pro 4 is worth over $170 for Windows, but this week Tech Deals is offering the license for just $39.

By the way, Disk Drill Pro is also available for macOS at the same price.

The deal ends soon, so now is a good time to protect your cherished photos. Hit the button below to find the deal.

Is this deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the DEALS HUB.

The best Chromebook deals you can get right now

If you want to buy a Chromebook, it’s pretty easy to find one on a budget. After all, that’s the whole idea behind Chrome OS devices — they serve as a cheaper alternative to Windows laptops. However, some Chromebook deals have reached even lower prices due to recent sales or discounts, and of course, premium Chromebooks are now a thing as well.

Read next: Protect your Chromebook with one of these covers and cases

We’ve rounded up some of the best Chromebook deals on the internet, so you won’t have to search too hard for a solid Chromebook at a good price. New deals and price cuts pop up all the time, so we will update this post as new Chromebook deals show up.

Editor’s tip: New to the world of Chromebooks? Our What to expect from Chromebook buyer’s guide helps explain what a Chromebook can and can’t do, buying options, and setup guides for first time Chromebook users.

Best Chromebook deals

Editor’s note: We will update this post as more Chromebook deals are launched.

1. Google Pixel Slate

Google recently announced its new Pixelbook Go Chromebook. However, its previous Chrome OS-based tablet, the Pixel Slate, is still a solid pick for people who want a powerful Chromebook-like product. The 1.6-pound tablet has a 12.3-inch 3,000 x 2,000 display, along with an Intel Core m3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The onboard battery should last you up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can get this Chromebook deal on Amazon now for just $537, over $250 off its normal $799 price. Keep in mind that the keyboard and pen accessories for the Pixel Slate are not included.

3. Lenovo S330 Chromebook

3. Samsung Chromebook V2

4. Lenovo Chromebook C330

5. Acer Chromebook 15

6. Asus CB3-532 Chromebook

The best wine clubs and subscriptions in 2019 for your taste - CNET

Giuliani seemingly likens forgetting iPhone passcode to FBI asking Apple to crack open shooter's phone - CNET

Exclusive: Government officials around the globe targeted for hacking through WhatsApp – sources

By Christopher Bing and Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior government officials in multiple U.S.-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc's WhatsApp to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation.

The post Exclusive: Government officials around the globe targeted for hacking through WhatsApp – sources appeared first on Firstpost.

These wireless earbuds with twice the battery life of AirPods are an incredible deal

At $159 or $199 with the wireless charging case, Apple’s AirPods are a pricey option for anyone looking for cord-free buds. At that price though, shouldn’t they at least last longer than 4 or 4.5 hours per charge? If you want something that looks better, fits better, sounds better, and has more than double the battery life, check out the Cleer Ally True Wireless Earbuds. They’re on sale right now for $149.99 on Amazon and they last for a whopping 10 hours per charge!

Cleer Ally Wireless Earbuds, Extended Battery Life Up to 10 Hours, Bluetooth Headphones (Grey): $149.99

Here’s what you need to know from the product page:

• EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE: The Cleer Ally Earbuds lasts hours longer than the competitors with an extended battery life up to 10 hours, so you can now enjoy your music even longer. Charge these earbuds quickly, 5 minutes in the charging case provides 1 hr of playback.
• WIRELESS & ERGONOMIC DESIGN: These mini earbuds are IPX5-rated, lightweight and water resistant, so you can rock out to your tunes while you work out without any worries. These earbuds include a slim carrying case that provides an additional 20 hours of battery life.
• MAXIMUM COMFORT: Because of its secure fit, this set of round earbuds won’t fall out or get uncomfortable even after hours of use. We have included soft silicone ear tips in small, medium and large sizes. These headphones include Freebit Wings that help secure the earbuds in the user’s ears.
• HIGH-QUALITY, EXPANSIVE SOUND: Use these headphones with your phone, laptop, tablet, or any Bluetooth device and feel the bass. Our Ally headphones also feature the latest beamforming technology for enhanced call quality when you need to chat on the go. You can answer the phone with either the right, the left or both earbuds.
• EARBUD SENSORS: Our earbuds have sensors that will pause the music when the headphones are removed.  When the earbuds are replaced, the music will start to play again.

Cleer Ally Wireless Earbuds, Extended Battery Life Up to 10 Hours, Bluetooth Headphones (Grey): $149.99

BGR Top Deals:

1. Anker’s new $100 true wireless earbuds last for 100 hours per charge, and they’re down to $60
2. Save $50 on Sony’s mind-blowing noise cancelling earbuds instead of wasting $250 on AirPods Pro

Trending Right Now:

1. PS5 might have one huge advantage over the Xbox and even gaming PCs
2. Tim Cook hints that an iPhone subscription could be Apple’s next big move
3. The first major spoiler just leaked from the biggest new MCU movie after ‘Endgame’

These wireless earbuds with twice the battery life of AirPods are an incredible deal originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 31 Oct 2019 at 20:08:06 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Climate change: 9 ways you can make a difference - CNET

Hackers plead guilty to extorting Uber, LinkedIn - CNET

Samsung posts steep drop in Q3 profit on weak chip demand - CNET

Japan Justice Minister Kawai resigns, 2nd minister to quit in a week

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai resigned on Thursday following media reports of election irregularities by his wife, who is a ruling party lawmaker, becoming the second cabinet minister to step down in less than a week. Kawai told reporters he had offered his resignation and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had accepted it. Kawai said he was stepping down to avoid harm to public trust in the justice system and would be looking into allegations against his wife's campaign.

The post Japan Justice Minister Kawai resigns, 2nd minister to quit in a week appeared first on Firstpost.

Fire engulfs Japan’s Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site in Okinawa

TOKYO (Reuters) - A fire broke out at Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, early on Thursday, completely destroying the main hall and other structures as firefighters continued to battle raging flames, media reported. Television footage showed the multi-structure castle reduced to a skeleton, shrouded in flames and smoke hours after emergency responders received the first call about the fire, around 2:47 a.m. (1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said

The post Fire engulfs Japan’s Shuri Castle, a World Heritage Site in Okinawa appeared first on Firstpost.

U.S. releases Baghdadi raid video, warns of likely retribution attack

By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Wednesday released its first images from last weekend's commando raid in Syria that led to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and warned the militant group may attempt to stage a "retribution attack." The declassified, grainy, black-and-white aerial videos from Saturday's raid showed U.S. special operations forces closing in on the compound and U.S

The post U.S. releases Baghdadi raid video, warns of likely retribution attack appeared first on Firstpost.

Samsung Elec third quarter profit dives 56% as further chip prices declines weigh

SEOUL (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd reported a 56% fall in third-quarter operating profit on Thursday, reeling from chip price declines in the face of a prolonged industry downturn. The world's top maker of memory chips and smartphones said operating profit was 7.8 trillion won (£5.20 billion), slightly above the 7.7 trillion won estimate the company released earlier.

The post Samsung Elec third quarter profit dives 56% as further chip prices declines weigh appeared first on Firstpost.

Starbucks earnings heat up on China expansion, digital and cold brews

By Hilary Russ and Uday Sampath Kumar NEW YORK (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp beat Wall Street sales and revenue estimates on Wednesday, driven by new stores, digital ordering and delivery in China, and cold drinks in the United States. Total net revenue for the world's largest coffee chain rose 7% to $6.75 billion (£5.24 billion), higher than the average analyst estimate of $6.68 billion

The post Starbucks earnings heat up on China expansion, digital and cold brews appeared first on Firstpost.

UK consumer sentiment returns to joint-weakest since 2013 – GfK

By David Milliken LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's longest-running measure of consumer sentiment slipped back to its joint-lowest level since 2013 this month, as Brexit uncertainty weighed again on households' assessment of the economic outlook. British consumers have generally remained upbeat since 2016's referendum to leave the EU - partly offsetting weaker business investment - but in recent weeks morale appears to have softened, boding poorly for spending in the run-up to Christmas. The GfK consumer sentiment dropped to -14 in October from -12 in September, a slightly bigger fall than economists had forecast in a Reuters poll

The post UK consumer sentiment returns to joint-weakest since 2013 – GfK appeared first on Firstpost.

Facebook sales grow as users tick up; Zuckerberg defends political ads

By Elizabeth Culliford, Paresh Dave and Akanksha Rana (Reuters) - Facebook Inc reported an uptick in users in lucrative markets and its third-straight rise in quarterly sales growth on Wednesday, but the company's controversial political ads stole the limelight when CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke to analysts. Shares rose about 4% after hours to $196.50. That put the shares on track to eclipse their record closing high of $194.32 in June 2018, just before a dramatic drop that summer amid escalating costs

The post Facebook sales grow as users tick up; Zuckerberg defends political ads appeared first on Firstpost.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro rumored to launch in mid-November in major European markets

Huawei rushed its Mate 30 announcement this year, unveiling the new flagship just days after Apple took the stage to announce the iPhone 11. The Mate 30 Pro was officially introduced just a day before the iPhone 11 hit stores, but the phone came with a massive “flaw”: The lack of official Google apps, caused by the US ban.

And while Huawei’s press event for the Mate 30 series may have arrived a lot earlier than expected, its late 2019 flagship has yet to hit stores in some of Huawei’s most important markets. European fans of Huawei smartphones will soon be able to purchase the Mate 30 Pro and the regular Mate 30, though, assuming they’re ready to ditch Google’s version of Android in favor of Huawei’s alternative.

Continue reading...

BGR Top Deals:

1. Best-selling smart plugs that work with Google and Alexa are on sale for $6.37 each
2. Today’s top deals: Surprise Fire TV Stick deal, $4 Alexa smart plugs, AA and AAA battery blowout, $45 Anker earphones, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Walmart’s early Black Friday sale just started: Here are all the best deals
2. We already know one of the PlayStation 5’s most important new features
3. I watched 3 hours of Apple TV+ last night. Ignore most of what you’ve read

Huawei Mate 30 Pro rumored to launch in mid-November in major European markets originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 30 Oct 2019 at 20:39:38 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The increasing importance of first aid

The idea of first aid training and emergency response makes some people squeamish, and that’s understandable. Maybe you can’t stand the sight of blood, or think you’re not good in a crisis. But in case you haven’t noticed, the world is a dangerous place and there’s never a bad time to train up.

Not everyone is cut out to be a paramedic or an ER nurse. We can all play a role though, and first aid training is the best way to make sure that you’re not standing around helplessly waiting for the pros to arrive. 

It’s no secret that hospitals and emergency staff are overloaded, and there is no denying that paramedics are struggling with the increased workload. The potential for low-frequency, high-risk emergencies is greater than before, and now is the right time for all of us to play a role in ensuring the health and safety of those around us Read more...

George R.R. Martin pledges not to write for prequel series 'House of the Dragon' until he finishes that damn book

Posting to his blog on Wednesday, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin has declared he won't write for newly announced Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon until he finishes Winds of Winter — even though he really wants to. It's a bit like when you promise yourself delicious chocolate cake if you finish your 5K run.

"I expect to be involved in [the production of House of the Dragon] to some extent… and, who knows, if things work out, I may even be able to script a few episodes, as I did for the first four seasons of Game Of Thrones," wrote Martin in his post.

"But… let me make this perfectly clear… I am not taking on any scripts until I have finished and delivered Winds Of Winter.  Winter is still coming, and Winds remains my priority, as much as I’d love to write an episodes of House" (emphasis Martin's). Read more...

Japan justice minister likely to resign over wife’s alleged election irregularities – NHK

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai is likely to resign following a media report of election irregularities by his wife, who is a ruling party lawmaker, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had appointed Kawai as justice minister in a cabinet reshuffle last month. (Reporting by Stanley White, Hideyuki Sano; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

The post Japan justice minister likely to resign over wife’s alleged election irregularities – NHK appeared first on Firstpost.

U.S. State Dept official knew of Giuliani’s involvement in campaign against envoy

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Russia said on Wednesday he had known Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, was involved in a campaign against then-Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch that helped lead to her dismissal. John Sullivan, a deputy secretary of state, said under questioning by ranking Democratic Senator Bob Menendez at his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing that he knew Giuliani was involved before he was asked to remove Yovanovitch in May because Trump had lost confidence in her.

The post U.S. State Dept official knew of Giuliani’s involvement in campaign against envoy appeared first on Firstpost.

German coalition needs to prove its worth – Finance Minister Scholz

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's ruling grand coalition needs to show it is in step with the times and can deliver in the next two years, Finance Minister and Social Democrat (SPD) leadership candidate Olaf Scholz told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. Scholz, who also serves as vice chancellor in the coalition, came first in a vote to elect a new SPD leader, the party said on Saturday, but he fell short of a majority.

The post German coalition needs to prove its worth – Finance Minister Scholz appeared first on Firstpost.

Hungry goats help save California’s Reagan library from wildfire

By Omar Younis and Andrew Hay SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (Reuters) - A herd of 500 goats helped save California's Ronald Reagan library from a wildfire on Wednesday, after the voracious animals earlier this year ate highly-flammable scrub surrounding the hilltop complex.

The post Hungry goats help save California’s Reagan library from wildfire appeared first on Firstpost.

Double the already-impressive battery life on your iPhone XR for just $26

Apple’s new iPhone 11 is fantastic. In fact, it’s easily one of the best smartphones Apple has ever made. Of course, the margin by which it’s better that its predecessor is pretty slim, so you definitely shouldn’t waste your money if you already have an iPhone XR. You might be thinking that it’s worth it for the battery improvements alone, but we’ve got another idea for you. Instead of spending $700+ on a new iPhone 11, get a Euhan 4200mAh Slim iPhone XR Battery Case for only $26!

iPhone XR Battery Case, Euhan 4200mAh Slim Rechargeable Power Charging Case for iPhone XR (6.1…: $25.80

Here’s the scoop from the product page:

• SYNC & Portable Built-in 4200mAh, add extra 140% backup battery for iPhone XR wherever you need it. Perfect for traveling, camping, business trip or other outdoor occasions. Thin and fit your hands well. Easy to carry.
• Upgraded design, The iPhone XR uses the unique power of kickstand to make it easy for you to watch a video while working at your computer desk. giving you a different experience.
• Enjoy Music,Calling-(NOTE: please charge the battery case first before you use it to charge your iphone.)This iPhone XR battery case is compatible with iphone Lighting Headphone,which enable you to listen to music or make a phone call through the case while charging your iphone !
• 4 LED POWER INDICATOR : This iPhone XR battery pack the features of 4 LED battery level indicator letting you know exactly the power you have (25%--50%--75%--100%); besides, you could switch on/off the battery case with the power switch button on the bottom.
• Warranty and Support: Euhan's 7*24 online support standing by, worry-free 100% money-back guarantee, 1-Year Replacement Warranty and life-time technical support

iPhone XR Battery Case, Euhan 4200mAh Slim Rechargeable Power Charging Case for iPhone XR (6.1…: $25.80

BGR Top Deals:

1. Best-selling smart plugs that work with Google and Alexa are on sale for $6.37 each
2. Today’s top deals: Surprise Fire TV Stick deal, $4 Alexa smart plugs, AA and AAA battery blowout, $45 Anker earphones, more

Trending Right Now:

1. Walmart’s early Black Friday sale just started: Here are all the best deals
2. We already know one of the PlayStation 5’s most important new features
3. Mars just barfed up InSight’s probe and NASA doesn’t know why

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Get 25% off any Totallee phone cases or accessories through Halloween - CNET

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The best Huawei phones you can buy right now (October 2019)

Huawei has quickly climbed up the ranks to become one of the most popular smartphone brands in the world. It’s easy to see why, as the firm serves up great budget devices and cutting-edge flagship phones. Not sure where to start though? We’ve got you covered with our list of the best Huawei phones.

Best Huawei phones:

Editor’s note: We will be updating this list of the best Huawei phones as new devices come to market.

1. Huawei P30 Pro

It’s not the latest flagship, but the Huawei P30 Pro is the latest device running Google Mobile Services. That means you get all of Google’s apps and, crucially, access to the Google Play Store. The phone also stands out from the newer Mate 30 Pro by offering a periscope zoom camera, capable of 5x optical zoom or a massive 10x hybrid zoom.

Huawei’s early 2019 flagship also serves up a 40MP main camera that uses an RYYB color filter as opposed to RGB filters seen on virtually all other cameras out there. This results in unparalleled low-light performance, as the phone can essentially see in the dark. Other notable cameras include a 16MP ultra-wide camera, and a 32MP selfie snapper.

Read: Best triple camera phones — What are your options?

The Huawei P30 Pro also delivers a 4,200mAh battery with 40W charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and an OLED screen with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Like the idea of the P30 Pro but want something a little cheaper? Then the standard P30 is a great buy too, dropping the 40W charging and battery size. We also see a less capable telephoto camera (3x), but the class-leading 40MP main camera is still on offer here for fantastic low-light snaps.

Huawei P30 specs:

Huawei P30 Pro specs:

2. Huawei Mate 30 Pro

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro is the latest flagship from the Chinese brand, but it unfortunately lacks Google Play Services integration. This means you’ll need to rely on web apps and sketchy methods to get your Google fix.

Look past the massive Google issues and you’ll get a phone with a rather divisive waterfall display, 3D face unlock, and a large, 4,500mAh battery. The device maintains the 40W wired charging of its predecessor, but adds 27W wireless charging too.

Huawei’s flagship also delivers a lot in terms of the camera experience, as you’ve got a triple camera setup (or quad camera if you include the 3D ToF sensor). The setup consists of a 40MP f/1.6 main camera (with RYYB sensor), a 3x 8MP telephoto sensor, and a 40MP ultra-wide camera that offers vastly improved low-light performance. In fact, we’d bet that the ultra-wide camera offers the best low-light quality on the market right now.

Again, we have to stress that the phone lacks Google support out of the box. This means you aren’t getting the likes of the Play Store, Gmail app, Google Search app, Assistant, and even some third-party apps. Only buy it if you know what you’re getting into.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro specs:

3. Huawei Mate 20 Pro

You don’t need to splash out on a 2019 Huawei flagship, as the Mate 20 Pro offers some fantastic features as well. And best of all, it can now be found at a cheaper price due to the Mate 30 and P30’s release.

The Mate 20 Pro packs the Kirin 980 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage (albeit expandable via NM card). Huawei’s late 2018 flagship also stands out thanks to its 4,200mAh battery, 40W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and pioneering implementation of reverse wireless charging.

Other specs worth knowing include a triple rear camera system (40MP, 8MP 3X telephoto, and 16MP ultra-wide), in-display fingerprint sensor, and 3D face unlock.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro specs:

4. Huawei Mate 20X 5G

The Mate 20X 5G makes the list of best Huawei phones by virtue of being the only 5G device by the company that also has Google Play Services. But there’s plenty more to the device than 5G connectivity.

Read: Keep that money — Affordable 5G smartphones are coming soon

Perhaps its biggest selling point (quite literally) is the 7.2-inch OLED screen, making it ideal for entertainment purposes or people with large hands. The phone is no slouch in the power stakes either, serving up a Kirin 980 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Other features that make the Mate 20X 5G stand out include a 4,200mAh battery, 40W wired charging, and the Mate 20 Pro’s triple camera setup.

Huawei Mate 20X 5G specs:

5. Huawei Y9 Prime 2019

Huawei

Pop-up cameras have become one of 2019’s hottest trends, enabling a notch-free display. It also makes for a rather crowd-pleasing feature, as the camera pops up and down for selfies.

Huawei has joined the party with the Y9 Prime 2019, a budget-focused smartphone with a 20MP pop-up selfie camera. This enables a 6.59-inch FHD+ LCD with a full-screen design — no notch or punch-hole cutout needed.

The rest of the phone isn’t bad either, serving up a mid-weight Kirin 710F chipset, 4GB of RAM, 64GB or 128GB of storage, and a 4,000mAh battery. The Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 also packs a triple camera setup, featuring a 16MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth sensor.

Huawei Y9 Prime 2019 specs:

6. Huawei Nova 5T

Looking for a flagship-tier Huawei phone with a cheaper price tag than proper flagships? Well, the Huawei Nova 5T fits the bill, coming in at £399 (~$512).

The phone packs a Kirin 980 chipset (the same processor seen in the Mate 20 family and P30 series), 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. So it should handle pretty much anything you throw at it. It’s also got a 3,750mAh battery, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a 6.26-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a punch-hole cutout.

The cutout hosts a 32MP selfie camera, while a quad camera setup sits on the back of the device. The quad setup consists of a 48MP main camera, 16MP ultra-wide camera, and a pair of 2MP sensors (one for macro shots and one for depth effects). It’s actually the Honor 20 (pictured above) with a new name, so if you can’t wait for the Nova 5T to hit your market, the Honor 20 is the same thing anyway.

Huawei Nova 5T specs:

7. Huawei P30 Lite

Huawei’s Lite series has become the go-to pick for scores of smartphone users on a budget, and it’s easy to see why with the P30 Lite. Standout features include a triple rear camera system (24MP or 48MP main, 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP depth), 128GB of expandable storage, and a 24MP or 32MP selfie camera.

The phone is a pretty solid performer in other aspects too, as you get a Kirin 710 processor, and a 3,340mAh battery. It doesn’t have the most powerful chipset for the price or the biggest battery then, but the overall package is pretty solid for under $300.

Huawei P30 Lite specs:

8. Huawei P Smart Plus 2019

Huawei

Huawei’s P Smart was one of the more popular budget Huawei devices last year, so we’re glad to see the P Smart Plus 2019 pick up where the original device left off.

Read: Best pop-up camera phones and slider phones to buy in 2019

The P Smart Plus 2019 differs from last year’s model by offering a power upgrade via the Kirin 710 chipset, as well as a triple rear camera setup. This rear camera trio consists of a 24MP primary snapper, 16MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP depth sensor.

Huawei P Smart Plus 2019 specs:

These are the best Huawei phones in our books, but we’ll be updating our list as new Huawei devices hit the market.