Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Houston area

Houston"s Weather Forecast

Photo: Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Houston, Thursday, May 19, 2016.

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Houston, Thursday, May 19, 2016.

Photo: Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian uses just about anything to stay dry against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian uses just about anything to stay dry against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and Walker downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles to hold his umbrella against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

A pedestrian struggles against driving rain and strong winds at San Jacinto and McKinney downtown Thursday, May 19, 2016, in Houston.

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

The National Weather Service will issue a regional flash flood watch beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, as weather experts tell residents to be prepared for possible high water.

The National Weather Service will issue a regional flash flood watch beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, as weather experts tell residents to be prepared for possible high water.

The National Weather Service will issue a regional flash flood watch beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, as weather experts tell residents to be prepared for possible high water.

The National Weather Service will issue a regional flash flood watch beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, as weather experts tell residents to be prepared for possible high water.

Worst Houston high water spots for road flooding

You don"t get to live in a place called the Bayou City and not get a little road flooding from time to time (or to be more specific, EVERY TIME IT RAINS!).

These are some of the worst spots in Houston for high water and flooded roadways.

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Worst Houston high water spots for road flooding

You don"t get to live in a place called the Bayou City and not get a little road flooding from time to time (or to be more specific, EVERY TIME IT RAINS!).

These

... more Photo: Houston Chronicle

Telge Road near Spring Cypress Road

Raymond Valenta, left, and his mother Koran Kaptchinskie phone for help after their car was stranded in high water on Telge Rd. near Spring Cypress Rd. in northwest Houston, Thursday, July 12, 2012, in Houston. ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Telge Road near Spring Cypress Road

Raymond Valenta, left, and his mother Koran Kaptchinskie phone for help after their car was stranded in high water on Telge Rd. near Spring Cypress Rd. in northwest Houston, ... more Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 45 near Crosstimbers

Vehicles move past a stalled car in the high water along the I-45 northbound feeder near Crosstimbers Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Houston. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )

Interstate 45 near Crosstimbers

Vehicles move past a stalled car in the high water along the I-45 northbound feeder near Crosstimbers Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Houston. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle File

White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street

A car sits in high water along White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street

A car sits in high water along White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Fondren Road and Southwest Freeway

Vehicles make their way through high water along Fondren near the Southwest Freeway, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Fondren Road and Southwest Freeway

Vehicles make their way through high water along Fondren near the Southwest Freeway, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Clinton Drive and McCarthy Street

High water on Clinton Drive at McCarthy as rain fell on the greater Houston area Thursday, April 11, 2013. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )

Clinton Drive and McCarthy Street

High water on Clinton Drive at McCarthy as rain fell on the greater Houston area Thursday, April 11, 2013. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle File

North Freeway near N. Main Street exit

Vehicles make their way through high water along the North Freeway near N. Main, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

North Freeway near N. Main Street exit

Vehicles make their way through high water along the North Freeway near N. Main, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Quitman Street

A car sits in high water along Quitman Street, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Quitman Street

A car sits in high water along Quitman Street, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Little Cypress Creek area (Cypress)

A man rides on the side of a truck in two feet of flood water on Longwood Trace Drive in the Longwood neighborhood as floodwaters from the Little Cypress Creek flowed over its banks Friday, July 13, 2012, in Cypress. less

Little Cypress Creek area (Cypress)

A man rides on the side of a truck in two feet of flood water on Longwood Trace Drive in the Longwood neighborhood as floodwaters from the Little Cypress Creek flowed over its ... more Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle File

Polk Street near Cullen Boulevard

A Lexus drove into high water along Polk St. near Cullen Blvd. east of Downtown Houston during the heavy rain this morning on Friday, July 13, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Polk Street near Cullen Boulevard

A Lexus drove into high water along Polk St. near Cullen Blvd. east of Downtown Houston during the heavy rain this morning on Friday, July 13, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle File

West 43rd and Oak Forest

Cars drive by a stranded vehicle in the high water at the intersection of West 43rd and Oak Forest after a downpour Monday May 26, 2014.(Dave Rossman photo)

West 43rd and Oak Forest

Cars drive by a stranded vehicle in the high water at the intersection of West 43rd and Oak Forest after a downpour Monday May 26, 2014.(Dave Rossman photo) Photo: Dave Rossman, Houston Chronicle File

South Mayde Creek area (Katy)

Cutter Urban, an oil and gas worker, helps police direct traffic out of high-water at the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Saums Road on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Katy. The flooding was caused by South Mayde Creek overflowing from its banks. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

South Mayde Creek area (Katy)

Cutter Urban, an oil and gas worker, helps police direct traffic out of high-water at the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Saums Road on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Katy. The ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle File

Travis Street and Interstate 45

A METRO officer walks in the flooded Travis St. entrance to I-45 Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Houston. Authorities turned cars around and prohibited passage through the flooded area. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Travis Street and Interstate 45

A METRO officer walks in the flooded Travis St. entrance to I-45 Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Houston. Authorities turned cars around and prohibited passage through the flooded ... more Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Studewood Street near Washington Avenue

A man pushes his car after it stalled out in high water along Studewood, North of Washington Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Studewood Street near Washington Avenue

A man pushes his car after it stalled out in high water along Studewood, North of Washington Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 10 entrance from Louisiana Street in downtown

A police car blocks off the Interstate 10 west on ramp where Louisiana street intersects with I-10 due to high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Interstate 10 entrance from Louisiana Street in downtown

A police car blocks off the Interstate 10 west on ramp where Louisiana street intersects with I-10 due to high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, ... more Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Farm-to-Market 1488 (Conroe)

Traffic makes its way through high water north of Farm-to-Market 1488 Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Conroe. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Farm-to-Market 1488 (Conroe)

Traffic makes its way through high water north of Farm-to-Market 1488 Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Conroe. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 45 and Travis Street

The Interstate 45 north on ramp where Travis street intersects with I-45 is closed by high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Interstate 45 and Travis Street

The Interstate 45 north on ramp where Travis street intersects with I-45 is closed by high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston ... more Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Commerce Street downtown

Water gushes from a manhole on Commerce street high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Commerce Street downtown

Water gushes from a manhole on Commerce street high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Highway 288 near Holly Hall Street

Highway 288 near Holly Hall Street

Photo: Google Maps

Fannin Street in Midtown

Fannin Street in Midtown

Photo: Google Maps

Memorial Drive passing under Shepherd Drive

Memorial Drive passing under Shepherd Drive

Photo: Google Maps

Walker Street near BBVA Compass Stadium downtown

Walker Street near BBVA Compass Stadium downtown

Photo: Google Maps

Interstate 45 exits near University of Houston Campus

Interstate 45 exits near University of Houston Campus

Photo: Google Maps

Milam exit of Interstate 45 south near downtown

Milam exit of Interstate 45 south near downtown

Photo: Google Maps

Main Street near the Medical Center

Main Street near the Medical Center

Photo: Google Maps

9200 block Lake Park

9200 block Lake Park

Photo: Google Maps

5300 block Willow Glen

5300 block Willow Glen

Photo: Google Maps

2200 block Des Jardines

2200 block Des Jardines

Photo: Google Maps

Shepherd"s Ridge

Shepherd"s Ridge

Photo: Google Maps

About 150 flooding incidents were reported on Houston streets between January-March 2015.

About 150 flooding incidents were reported on Houston streets between January-March 2015.

Photo: Google Maps

Source: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/article/Flash-flood-watch-issued-for-Houston-area-7700739.php

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NFL Notes: Jaguars Rookie Jalen Ramsey Tears Meniscus in Workouts

Ultimate Jalen Ramsey Highlights HD "Game Changer"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be sidelined for offseason workouts and maybe more because of a knee injury.

The team said Thursday that Ramsey, the fifth overall selection in the NFL draft, sustained a "small tear to the meniscus" in his right knee during on-field workouts earlier this week. The former Florida State standout will get a second opinion next week before deciding the next course of action.

It"s the second time in as many years that Jacksonville"s top draft pick was hurt long before training camp. Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., the third overall pick in 2015, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the first hour of a rookie minicamp last year and missed his entire rookie season (see full recap).

NFL: League returns money used to honor troopsWASHINGTON -- Two Republican senators said Thursday that they"ve scored a touchdown for taxpayers after the National Football League informed them that it is refunding more than $700,000 paid by the Defense Department to NFL clubs to honor military service members at league games and events.

Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake had complained that the Pentagon spent more than $10 million in marketing and advertising contracts with professional sports teams between 2012 and 2015 for what the senators dubbed "paid patriotism."

Flake and McCain called for an end to the taxpayer-funded practice of sponsoring such military celebrations at games, an effort that is often used for recruiting efforts and community outreach. A report they issued last year found 72 contracts in which the Pentagon paid for patriotic tributes at professional sports games.

The senators said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified them that an external audit to evaluate contracts between NFL clubs and the Pentagon identified $723,734 over four seasons that may have been mistakenly applied to appreciation activities rather than recruitment efforts. That amount is being returned in full to taxpayers, Goodell told the senators this week (see full recap).

Redskins: 9 out of 10 Native Americans OK with team nameNEW YORK -- A recent national poll finds that nine of 10 Native Americans aren"t offended by the Washington Redskins name.

The poll conducted by the Washington Post indicated more than eight in 10 say they wouldn"t be offended if someone who was not a Native American called them that name.

A federal judge ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins" trademark registration in July, ruling that their name may be disparaging to Native Americans. The club is appealing.

Ninety percent of the random national sample of 504 Native Americans says the name doesn"t bother them; 9 percent say it is offensive.

Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the U.S. population

Interviews were conducted from December through April on landline and cellphones, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points (see full recap).

Jets: Revis parts with longtime agentsNEW YORK -- New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, one of the NFL"s highest-paid players among non-quarterbacks the past several years, has fired his longtime agents.

ESPN first reported Thursday that Revis had parted ways with Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, the cornerback"s agents since his rookie year in 2007.

Schwartz and Feinsod negotiated a few huge deals for Revis, who has made $101 million in his career, according to Spotrac.com. He is due to make $17 million in guaranteed money this season.

Both agents confirmed the split in emails to The Associated Press, but the reasons for Revis" move was not immediately certain. "Jonathan and I wish him the best of luck," Schwartz wrote in an email.

Revis returned to the Jets last year after two seasons away, and signed a five-year, $70 million deal that included $39 million in guarantees.

Published at 11:10 PM EDT on May 19, 2016

Source: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/csn/eagles/NFL_Notes__Jaguars_rookie_Jalen_Ramsey_tears_meniscus_in_workouts-380209881.html

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WATCH: Stephen Curry Torches the OKC Thunder in Game 2

OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors - Game 2 - 1st Half Highlights - May 18, 2016 NBA Playoffs

That was funfor the Golden State Warriors, anyhow.

Stephen Curry and the defending NBA champions bounced back in Game 2 Wednesday night, evening up the Western Conference Finals at 1-1 with a convincing 118-91 beatdown of the OKC Thunder.

The MVP shook off an elbow injury after chasing a loose ball into the stands, detonating in the third quarter for 17 of his team-high 28 points.

Per the AP:

The elbows fine, said Curry, who hit it first on a metal platform then later bonked it again. It looks like it has a tennis ball on top of it. I should be all right. [] He seemed more than fine, scoring 15 straight points in less than 2 minutes during one dazzling third-quarter stretch to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Wednesday night to even the Western Conference finals at one game apiece.

Business as usual. This is what he does, coach Steve Kerr said, before being asked how he feels during such a Curry onslaught and responding with a chuckle: I feel great joy. Its true.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points but just six after halftime. Russell Westbrook had 16 points and 12 assists for the Thunder, who were outrebounded for the first time in five meetings with the Warriors this season. [] They were sending three guys. I was trying to make the right pass, Durant said. Maybe Ive just got to shoot over three people.

Source: http://www.slamonline.com/media/slam-tv/watch-stephen-curry-torches-the-okc-thunder-in-game-2/

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Google I/O 2016: That"s a lot of things we can"t have yet

Schannel - Tổng hợp Google IO 2016: Nhàm chán & thiếu sáng tạo nhất trong lịch sử!!!

This year"s Google I/O conference was one of the company"s best in terms of presentation (it was never boring) and the sheer volume of news we"ve seen. Assistant, Home, Daydream... by the time Google showed off its chat apps Allo and Duo, I started writing bullet points down as I was sure I wouldn"t be able to remember all that.

And then, I started counting how many of these cool new features and products are available now, or in the immediate future.

The answer is you guessed it very close to zero.

Google Home will be available in the fall. The gadget is based on a new, smarter-than-ever AI called Google Assistant, which is also not available yet, and Google hasn"t even announced a clear timeline for its launch.

The company"s VR platform, Daydreamis also coming in the fall. The widely rumored new VR headset from Google turned out to be a reference design for other manufacturers and not an actual product. All we saw at this stage was a pencil drawing of a generic-looking headset and remote.

And there goes the dream of a buffed up Google Cardboard.

I know this is a long, sad list, but bear with me. Chat apps Allo and Duo will be available on iOS and Android later this summer. Android Instant Apps, a nifty feature which lets you use Android apps without installing them on your phone, is coming later this year.Some people expected new Nexus phones, but that didn"t happen (yet). Android Wear 2.0 is coming in the fall.

Very few of the products are even at the conference as early demos. Home, Allo and Duo, Instant Apps not even attendees of Google I/O can get their hands on them (the Android Wear and Android Auto updates being the exceptions).

So is there anything that Google showed on Wednesday that"s actually available to users now? Only one thing by my count: The Android N beta. And that"s just a beta, not a full product; Google (or Mashable, for that matter) does not recommend anyone should install it unless you"re a developer or one of the most advanced and curious of users. While Android N is likely coming sometime during the summer, it doesn"t even have a name yet.

So is there anything that Google showed on Wednesday that"s actually available to users now? Only one thing by my count: The Android N beta. And that"s just a beta, not a full product.

There are two caveats to this. First, this was only the first day of the conference; it"s still possible for Google to launch something (or many things) cool that we"ll actually be able to buy or use soon.

And yes, Google I/O is primarily a developer conference; by design, it"s looking forward. Its format is similar every year: Google drops a lot of info about the next version of Android, which is typically still in development, announces a ton of software and possibly shows off one or two hardware gadgets.Project development schedules don"t always line up with events, and it"s better to announce a product for later than to launch a half-baked one now.

But Google I/O is also Google"s biggest event of the year; the time when the company announces its most important new products. One would expect at least some of this stuff to be available now or soon. At least last year, we got the new Google Photos and wide access to Inbox right away.

I"ve seen some chatter on social media about this, with a few unhappy users calling the products "vaporware." Since this is Google we"re talking about, that"s a vastly unfair assessment; the company will certianly follow through on the products announced (though that hand-drawn VR headset does look mighty suspicious).

And let"s face it, Google can afford to shower us with a dozen products that aren"t ready for prime time yet; the company is that big, its ecosystem that strong. You won"t see angry users switching to Apple products because Home is not yet available at least not significantly above the usual rate at which users jump from one camp to another.

But for a regular user who was watching the keynote and expected to actually try out something new from Google today, the I/O 2016 was a letdown.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Source: http://mashable.com/2016/05/19/google-io-2016-things-we-cant-have/

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EgyptAir Crash Blindsides a Nation That Thought It Was Recovering

Former Defense Secretary Reacts To Donald Trump Tweet On EgyptAir Flight | Morning Joe | MSNBC
Photo A relative of a passenger on EgyptAir Flight 804 inside a bus at the airport in Cairo on Thursday. Credit Ahmed Abd El Fattah/Associated Press

CAIRO Egypt seemed poised for a modest comeback. After years of cascading crises that had devastated the lifeblood of its economy, tourism, there were signs of a turnaround.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia told his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, that he might soon resume Russian flights to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, which had been suspended after a passenger plane was blown out of the sky more than six months ago.

Then the United Nations World Tourism Organization chose Luxor, home to the famed Valley of the Kings archaeological site, as its world tourism capital for 2016.

But on Thursday, Egypt found itself in a dark, if familiar, place when an EgyptAir passenger jet disappeared from radar and crashed into the Mediterranean with 66 people on board.

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For years now, Egyptians have barely had a chance to recover from one crisis before being hit by another: a damaged economy, a diminished currency, a repressive president and a dangerous insurgency waged by a franchise of the Islamic State militant group.

This latest setback was such a shock to the nation that Egypts leaders abandoned their typical approach to crisis management: obfuscation. Instead, they offered what appeared to be a candid assessment, acknowledging that the disaster might well have been a result of terrorism. And that was even before there was hard evidence of terrorism.

Although visibly strained, Egypts civil aviation minister, Sherif Fathi, admitted that some Egyptian officials had made errors in dealing with the loss of the plane, EgyptAir Flight 804, and conceded that it might be linked to Islamist militants.

The possibility of a terrorist attack, he said, was higher than the possibility of a technical failure.

The initial response has been different this time, said Michael Wahid Hanna, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation in New York. We havent seen the kind of obfuscation that was typical of Egypt before.

Video Who Was on EgyptAir Flight 804?

EgyptAir Flight 804 disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday shortly before it was due to land. Here are some of the people who were on board.

By NEIL COLLIER and SHANE ONEILL on Publish Date May 19, 2016. Photo by via Facebook. Watch in Times Video

Mr. Fathis rapid acknowledgment of a possible terrorist link contrasted sharply with his governments response to the crash of a Russian charter flight over the Sinai Peninsula in October, when the government repeatedly refused to concede any connection to militancy, only to reverse its position months later.

That about-face was typical of Egyptian official reactions that have often looked like defensive crouches, and that have quietly infuriated some allies and led them to question Egypts ability to carry out transparent investigations.

Those tactics have pitted President Sisi against some of his closest Western allies. His government has publicly clashed with Italy over the case of Giulio Regeni, an Italian graduate student whose bloodied body was discovered on a Cairo roadside in February. Egyptian officials have aggressively countered Italian accusations that Egypts security forces were responsible.

Instead, Egypt has offered what are widely considered implausible accounts of how Mr. Regeni was killed.

Egypt also tried to shift blame for the deaths of eight Mexican tourists in an Egyptian military air attack in September. After months of Egyptian inaction over the killings in the countrys western desert, apparently the result of a mistake, Mexicos Foreign Ministry issued a statement this month accusing Egypt of failing to investigate the episode properly and of not sufficiently compensating the families of the dead tourists.

EgyptAir Flight 804, en route from Paris to Cairo, disappeared from radar over the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday morning after it abruptly turned and dropped in altitude.

The governments reputation for secrecy stoked cynicism among some of the relatives of missing passengers at the Cairo airport on Thursday. We dont know anything, said Mervat Moamen, who had come for news of Samar Ezz el-Deen, a newly married flight attendant on the plane.

Visibly frustrated, she dismissed official explanations about the fate of the plane as just propaganda.

Conspiracy theories about the crash floated in the news media, including an interview in the state-run Al Ahram paper with a self-declared expert who claimed the plane had been brought down by an electromagnetic pulse.

British officials have been working with Egypt to improve security at the Sharm el Sheikh airport, but they say it is unlikely they will reverse their flight ban anytime soon.

Tourist numbers have fallen more than 40 percent this year, and a further drop would most likely further weaken the Egyptian currency. This, in turn, would increase inflation and put new pressure on Mr. Sisi, who has responded to criticism with an iron fist this year, silencing critics and street protests through mass arrests and convictions.

Video EgyptAir Flight 804: What We Know

A breakdown of the events that unfolded on Thursday after EgyptAir Flight 804 went missing.

By BEN LAFFIN on Publish Date May 19, 2016. Photo by Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters. Watch in Times Video

Last weekend, 152 people, mostly in their 20s, were sentenced to two to five years in prison for participating in street protests against the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. The furor over the islands appeared to rattle Mr. Sisi, catching him by surprise, and dealt another blow to his sagging popularity.

Still, analysts say, the EgyptAir crash could also give Mr. Sisis government a chance to capitalize on international sympathy provided it does not engage in the sort of defensive behavior that has alienated allies in the past. As the search for wreckage continued Thursday evening, Mr. Sisis office issued a stream of statements describing calls of sympathy he had received from the leaders of Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia and France.

Mr. Hanna, the analyst, said there could be a more cynical explanation for the seemingly more candid approach of Egyptian officials: that they see an opportunity to blame another country, France, for the security lapses that led to the disaster. On social media on Thursday, some Egyptians, anticipating a terrorist link, called for Pariss Charles de Gaulle Airport to be shut down on security grounds, much as Sharm el Sheikhs airport was in the fall.

Blaming France, though, could alienate one of Egypts diminishing number of European friends. The French president, Franois Hollande, visited Egypt last month to sign a $1 billion weapons contract and a slew of other investment deals with Mr. Sisi.

Paradoxically, the proliferation of challenges facing Egypt may cause Western countries to strengthen their support for Mr. Sisi, despite his harsh policies, Mr. Hanna said.

It solidifies the status quo, he said. Because the country faces serious security threats with the potential to spill over into the rest of the world, other countries are loath to make a drastic change and to focus on things like human rights, politics and other freedoms.

Continue reading the main story

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/world/middleeast/egypt-egyptair-flight-804.html

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Review: "The Angry Birds Movie," a Superficially Amiable Ball of Fluff

The Angry Birds Movie - Official Theatrical Trailer 3 (HD)
Photo Green pigs are a good reason to lose your temper: a scene from this film, adapted from the smartphone game. Credit Columbia Pictures

As motion pictures adapted from video games go, The Angry Birds Movie is leagues superior to, say, 1993s Super Mario Bros. This new movie, which uses the bright, color-rich palette of the smartphone phenom for which its named, as well as its hook of nonaeronautic feathered creatures getting around via catapult, is not much beyond a superficially amiable ball of fluff.

Video Trailer: "The Angry Birds Movie"

A preview of the film.

By SONY PICTURES on Publish Date April 16, 2016. Photo by Columbia Pictures. Watch in Times Video

At the top of a voluminous and talent-rich voice cast (which, alas, neglects to include the maestros of irate sarcasm Don Rickles and Nicky Katt), Jason Sudeikis portrays Red, the irascible odd bird out in a community of irrationally upbeat avian neighbors. From across the sea comes a ship, with a couple of friendly-seeming green pigs at its helm. They carry an initially secret stash of more green pigs, a diverting and entertaining lot that is eagerly embraced in bird land. Red, however, believes that his fellow nonfliers havent figured out whats going on, and he turns out to be right.

I shall not wax too indignant over the fact that this ostensible childrens entertainment, in this summer of all summers, could easily be taken as an anti-immigration fable. Instead, I shall note that once past its pleasant echoes of cartoon classics like Birds Anonymous and Cured Duck (a great showcase for the original angry bird, name of Donald), the movie, directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis, settles into the current default mode of animation humor. That is, a DreamWorks-inflected, pop-culture savvy, far-side-of-smarm (not too) smart-aleckness, replete with bodily function jokes. The kids of today deserve better. So do I, come to think of it.

GLENN KENNY

The Angry Birds Movie is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested) for gas, urine, mucus and coy innuendo.

The Angry Birds Movie

• Directors Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly

• Writer Jon Vitti

• Stars Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph

• Rating PG

• Running Time 1h 37m

• Genres Animation, Action, Comedy, Family

• Movie data powered by IMDb.comLast updated: May 19, 2016

Continue reading the main story

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/movies/-the-angry-birds-movie-review.html

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#TBT: Unboxing Our First Google I/O Gift, the Galaxy Tab Running Honeycomb

Schannel - Tổng hợp Google IO 2016: Nhàm chán & thiếu sáng tạo nhất trong lịch sử!!!

We are here at Google I/O 2016 in Mountain View, reminiscing about the fun times we have had celebrating all that is Android. We were thinking hard, remembering all of the goodies Google has given out over the years to attendees, only because it seems Google has no giftsto share with folksthis year. There has been phones, tablets, Nexus Q door stops, and plenty of smartwatches. One Google I/O gift stands alone, though, and thats the first gift we received for attending Google I/O in 2011. That is the limited edition Samsung Galaxy Tab, running Android 3.0.1 Honeycomb.

At the time, it was pretty bleeding edge Android tech, but now in 2016, its seen as a cheap piece of plastic and nothing too fancy. Kellen decided to do a hands-on with the device after receiving it, showing off the differences between it and the Motorola XOOM tablet. As you will see in the video, things werent as professional as they are these days, but it was still a blast.

Take a moment to remember that the Google Talk app was a real thing, as well as that cringeworthy Honeycomb UI. Woof.

Source: http://www.droid-life.com/2016/05/19/tbt-unboxing-first-google-io-gift/

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