How to register to vote online

Image: Shutterstock / 3dfoto

By Victoria Rodriguez2018-09-25 20:58:15 UTC

All the cool kids are doing it. That’s what you can tell your best friend when you finally convince them to register to vote.

Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, the nationwide holiday that celebrates democracy and promotes voter registration every fourth Tuesday of September.

So if you haven’t registered already, you should do so now because the midterm elections are just a few weeks away. If you’re not sure about your state’s election date or the location of your polling place, you can visit Rockthevote.org to learn more.

As Rock The Vote President and Executive Director Carolyn DeWitt suggests, this is not an election day you can afford to miss. “This is the most consequential midterm election in the lifetime of young voters. National Voter Registration Day is a critical moment to ensure that their voices are able to be heard in the midterms,” she said in a statement.

“The energy and engagement we have seen from our youth since the 2016 elections has been unprecedented,” DeWitt added. “Whether at marches, rallies, or town halls the youth of our nation have made one thing very clear, that the time for them to be heard is now and in these midterms they will come out in record numbers.”

If you’ll be away from home on election day, remember to request an absentee ballot at Vote.org. As noted on the website, applications must be received by the Friday before Election Day, which is Nov. 6. Mark your calendar, set an alarm, do what you have to and send it in.

There are countless ways to register, one of which requires a visit to the DMV. In many states, you can undergo the process when you renew or apply for a driver’s license. However, if you’re dreading the infamous long lines, you can save time and opt to register online. These 10 brands, organizations, and platforms, can help you get the job done in no more than two minutes.

1. March For Our Lives

Following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, student activists embarked on a summer bus tour to register young people to vote, with the hope that their votes ushered in progressive leaders who’d push for gun law reforms. If you missed out on the tour, you can still take part in the movement and register on The March For Our Lives website.

2. The Women’s March

The Women’s March launched their Power to the Polls campaign to channel the energy from the nationwide protests to the polls. You can register through the website, or if you’d rather use your phone, you can text P2P to RTVOTE (788-683). Message and data rates may apply.

3. When We All Vote

Former First Lady Michelle Obama, alongside Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, and more, started the When We All Vote campaign to remind citizens of their responsibility to register and vote. You can take your first steps by clicking here, or text WeAllVote to 97779. Message and data rates may apply.

4. The Skimm

In addition to delivering digestible news about culture, politics, and more to its predominantly millennial, female readership, The Skimm is adamant about making an impact through voter registration. Through their No Excuses campaign, the email newsletter hopes to get 100,000 people to the polls this midterm election.

5. HeadCount

HeadCount is the best of both worlds: democracy and music. The nonprofit is dedicated to registering people to vote, at concerts, festivals, and online. When you’re done filling out the registration form on their website, explore the rest of the site to learn about additional voting information, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events.

6. Voto Latino

As the name of the nonprofit suggests, the aim is to empower young Hispanic and Latino voters to take part in elections. This year, the organization announced its Somos Mas campaign, a collective effort to ensure the power of the Latino vote comes through on election day.

7. Turbo Vote

Turbo Vote has all the voter information you could ever need in one convenient place. Whether you have questions about election dates or absentee ballots, this site has got you covered.

8. Movement for Black Lives

Back in February, just before Marvel’s Black Panther hit theaters, The Movement For Black Lives launched a campaign to register black moviegoers to vote. To join in, text WAKANDA to 91990. Message and data rates may apply.

Wakanda world do you want to live in?

The Movement for Black Lives @mvmt4bl has launched a voter registration campaign!

Text PANTHER to 91990 to create your own voter registration event.

Need to register to vote? Text WAKANDA to 91990. #WakandaTheVote pic.twitter.com/fZZdoCqKj2

— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) February 22, 2018

9. Twitter

In partnership with Turbo Vote, Twitter launched their #BeAVoter campaign to encourage people to register and provide information regarding election dates and absentee ballots. The next time you’re scrolling through your feed, be on the lookout for this prompt.

Today, Twitter is launching our #BeAVoter campaign to promote increased, informed participation in the 2018 US election.

Learn more here

— Twitter Government (@TwitterGov) September 24, 2018

10. Snapchat

So many nonprofits, brands, and especially candidates, attempt to reach young voters, but Snapchat has an edge, here. If you’re over 18 and on the platform, expect to see a “Register to vote” link on your profile page. You can’t miss it.

The point is, whether you register with the help of your favorite social media platform or a reliable nonprofit, you, your friends, and your family need to do so. As Oprah would say, “You should vote. You should vote. Everyone should vote.”

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Can the EU bypass US sanctions on Iran?

When it was signed in 2015, the Iran nuclear agreement was hailed as a landmark deal.

But with the US withdrawal earlier this year and threats of punishing those who do business with Tehran, European leaders have been left trying to figure out a way to protect their companies and save the agreement.

The Trump administration says it will reimpose some of its toughest sanctions on Iran in November.

That has led some companies to abandon their plans in Iran.

The Europeans say they are setting up a new payments mechanism that will allow companies to continue trading goods and oil with Iran.

Russia and China support the plan but it’s not clear how it will work.

So, can companies and traders withstand the US response?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam

Guests:

Remi Bourgeot – economist at the French Institute of International & Strategic Affairs

Mamdouh Salameh – international oil economist

Christopher Balding – analyst on the Chinese economy and associate professor at the Fulbright University Vietnam

Source: Al Jazeera News

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Cheese lovers will obsess over these solar-powered products

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A sneak peek at the innovations that will change our everyday lives in the future.

Ryan Sedmak

15 minutes ago

SunMade Cheese collects energy from the sun and then distributes it to these super cheesy products. While the design is cute, the company behind the design is the real deal.

As part of their work, the team donates “Solar Cows” to school in Africa so that kids can get free power to distribute at home.

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Trump claims he wanted the UN to laugh at his speech, calls it ‘great’

Trump’s weird day at the UN got weirder, if you can believe it.

Image: Getty Images

By Marcus Gilmer2018-09-25 20:12:01 UTC

President Donald Trump is playing off Tuesday morning’s embarrassing moment — in which he was laughed at by the United Nations General Assembly — by saying he totally meant it as a joke.

On Tuesday afternoon, between events at the UN, Trump briefly chatted with reporters and he dropped this nugget, apparently confusing the concepts of “laughing at” and “laughing with.”

Trump on laughter at UN during speech: “Oh it was great. Well that was meant to get some laughter, but it was great.”

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) September 25, 2018

Trump on how his UN speech went:

“I think really well, it’s gotten very good reviews certainly and I think it went very well.”

He said the laugher was intentionally provoked:

“Oh it was great. Well that was meant to get some laughter, but it was great.”

— Brian Ries (@moneyries) September 25, 2018

On the one hand, that is a pretty even-keeled response from someone as tantrum-prone as Trump.

On the other, it’s a lie. If you watch the speech, immediately following the line that got the laugh, Trump says, “Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s okay.” So clearly not what you’d say if you’d just told an intentional joke.

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As the laughter at Trump’s expense — and the implications — made waves across the internet, people were quick to surface old tweets in which Trump bemoaned a president (Obama) who he considered a laughingstock.

We need a President who isn’t a laughing stock to the entire World. We need a truly great leader, a genius at strategy and winning. Respect!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2014

Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012

Trump has been busy enough at the UN that he hasn’t had time to tweet about the speech, but once he gets back in to the warmer comforts of his couch, he’ll surely let rip with what will no doubt be a tirade for the ages.

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Kyle Lowry Reportedly Avoided Contact with Raptors’ Masai Ujiri, Nick Nurse

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 3: Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (3) drives past Boston Celtics point guard Avery Bradley (0) during the Boston Celtics 112-88 victory over the Toronto Raptors at the TD Garden on March 3, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Elise/Getty Images)

Chris Elise/Getty Images

There have been a lot of changes for the Toronto Raptors this offseason, from the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard to the team hiring Nick Nurse as head coach.

And through it all, star point guard Kyle Lowry reportedly went dark, per a report from Josh Lewenberg of TSN:

“Lowry, the team’s incumbent star, had declined to comment on the trade of his close friend and long-time teammate DeMar DeRozan at a USA Basketball minicamp in Las Vegas over the summer. That was overblown and not a direct concern to the team—as Lowry correctly pointed out on Monday, he’s never made a habit of speaking to the media during the off-season.

“Of greater concern, per league sources, Lowry had also been dodging calls and texts from team officials, including president Masai Ujiri and new head coach Nick Nurse, who Lowry said he only spoke with briefly right after Nurse was promoted in June.”

Lowry did speak publicly on Monday at the team’s media day, however, and talked about playing with Leonard this season.

“We’ll have a full season, we have a full week of training camp to get to know each other,” Lowry said. “He’s my teammate now so I’m excited to play with him, and I always ride or die for my teammates. Go out there and play basketball, win as many games as possible, and at the end of the year hold up that trophy.”

Toronto is betting big on Leonard, especially considering he’ll be a free agent after this season. How he interacts with Lowry and Nurse will impact not just the team’s title chances this year, but also potentially the organization’s future.

So having Lowry and Leonard on the same page is important. But having a veteran and star point guard like Lowry on the same page as Nurse and the team’s front office is equally important.

The Raptors, on paper, are one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference, joining the ranks of the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. While they don’t appear to be on the level of the Golden State Warriors, anything is possible once you reach the NBA Finals.

And whether Lowry has kept the lines of communication open or not, his goal remains winning a title.

“One thing about me is I’ve always been prepared to come in and try to win a championship,” he said. “I’ve always been given an opportunity to go out there and do me, and come back ready to go, in shape, ready to play. My mindset never changes: Come to work for the Toronto Raptors, try to win a gold ball.”

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Cosby sentenced to 3-10 years, deemed ‘sexually violent predator’

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to between three and 10 years in prison on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a woman more than a decade ago.

Cosby was convicted in April of three counts of indecent assault for drugging and sexually assaulting his one-time friend Andrea Constand, a former Temple University administrator, at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

Pennsylvania Judge Steven O’Neill also deemed Cosby a “sexually violent predator”, meaning that he must undergo monthly counselling for the rest of his life and report quarterly to authorities. Cosby’s name will appear on a sex-offender registry sent to neighbours, schools and victims. The actor was also fined $25,000.

His lawyers have said they will appeal the conviction, which observers say could push the case up to the state’s highest court and take several years.

Cosby, known as “America’s Dad” for his role on the Cosby Show, was the first celebrity to be convicted after the #MeToo movement was popularised following a number of allegations against well-known individuals in October 2017.

Prosecutors had asked for five to 10 years in prison. The defence requested house arrest, saying Cosby is too old and helpless to do time behind bars. He is legally blind.

Cosby’s lawyers had also fought the “sexually violent predator” designation, arguing that Pennsylvania’s sex-offender law remains unconstitutional and that he is no threat to the public at his age.

But O’Neill said prosecutors had met their burden of proof by “clear and convincing” evidence.

When the sex predator ruling came down, a woman in courtroom shot her fist into the air and whispered, “Yessss!”

‘I’ve been unable to heal’

Constand spoke briefly on the first day of the hearing on Monday, saying, “All I am asking for is justice as the court sees fit.”

In a statement submitted to the court and released on Tuesday, the 45-year-old said she has had to cope with years of anxiety and self-doubt that have left her “stuck in a holding pattern”.

Constand said her training as a professional basketball player had led her to think she could handle anything, but “life as I knew it” ended on the night that Cosby knocked her out with pills and violated her.

Constand said she now has trouble trusting people.

“When the sexual assault happened, I was a young woman brimming with confidence and looking forward to a future bright with possibilities,” she wrote in her five-page statement.

“Now, almost 15 years later, I’m a middle-aged woman who’s been stuck in a holding pattern for most of her adult life, unable to heal fully or to move forward.”

In the years since Constand first went to authorities in 2005, more than 60 women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, though none of those claims have led to criminal charges. Cosby’s first trial in 2017 ended in a mistrial when jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Bill Cosby gestures as he arrives for his sentencing hearing at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Tuesday [Matt Slocum/AP Photo]

The judge, on Tuesday, ruled on Cosby’s sex-offender status after a defence psychologist, Timothy Foley, testified that the chances of the comedian committing another sex offence are “extraordinarily low” because he is old, legally blind and needs help getting around.

On Monday, a psychologist for the state testified that Cosby appears to have a mental disorder that gives him an uncontrollable urge to assault women.

Cosby was smiling and joking with his spokesman and sheriff’s deputies as he settled into the courtroom Tuesday. On the first day of the sentencing, the comic laughed at times as the psychologist on the stand for the state portrayed him as a sexual predator with signs of a mental disorder. Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom.

Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said the former TV star planned to remain silent when given the opportunity to address the court. Cosby did not testify at either of his two trials.

The proceedings took place as women and others across the US protested against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct by two women. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

Tuesday’s sentencing was a reckoning accusers and prosecutors said was decades in the making for the once-beloved entertainer known for his role as wise and understanding Dr Cliff Huxtable on the top-ranked, 1980s-era Cosby Show.

Cosby became the first black actor to star in a prime-time TV show, I Spy, in 1965. He remained a Hollywood A-lister for much of the next half-century.

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Warriors’ Kevin Durant on 2019 NBA Free Agency: ‘We’ll See What Happens’

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors poses for a picture during the Golden State Warriors media day on September 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant doesn’t have a long-term contract because he wants to keep his options on the table.

Per USA Today‘s Erik Garcia Gundersen, Durant addressed his current contract situation with the Warriors and potential free agency next summer:

“Just one of those things where you’re confident in your skills and taking it year by year. And keeping my options open was the best thing for me. I could have easily signed a long term deal but I just wanted to take it season by season and see where it takes me. And I think this year is going to be a fun, exciting year for us all. I’m looking forward to just focusing on that and we’ll see what happens after the year.“

Since joining the Warriors in July 2016, Durant has only signed one-year contracts that include a player option.

Despite the actual terms of his deals, Durant told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater in March he feels committed to Golden State long-term.

“Financially, obviously, what I wanted to do last year, it made sense,” Durant said. “Well, the last two years, it made sense to do the one-year deal. I’m sure here soon I’ll want to sign a long-term deal just to feel stable. But I’m enjoying every moment of it, so I’m not trying to look too far down the line.”

After Durant agreed to another one-plus-one deal with Golden State in July, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on the Lowe Post podcast the two-time NBA Finals MVP will “100 percent” be the New York Knicks’ main free-agent target next summer if he opts out.

The Los Angeles Lakers will have between $36-38 million in cap space next summer to pursue a second max contract after signing LeBron James in July.

Durant has led the Warriors to back-to-back NBA titles in his two seasons with the franchise. He averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists during Golden State’s sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals.

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Screaming sausage videos are a thing, apparently

Ever cook a sausage and hear a hiss, or a sound that resembles a scream? Well, turns out you’re not the only one.

A video of sausages making what appear to be screaming sounds whilst being cooked was shared on YouTube on Monday, garnering over 527,000 views at the time of writing — but it appears it’s only one of many “sausage screaming” videos.

Many people have taken to YouTube with their videos of seemingly scared sausages, screaming at the top of their little sausage lungs. The videos have become something of their own video genre — and truthfully, I’m into them.

The videos at first glance are little more than meat being browned in a pan, or cooked in a microwave, but the tiny little sausage screams, or whistles will make you giggle uncontrollably.

When sausages emit a loud scream or sizzle it’s typically a combination of factors, such as water in the sausage evaporating or the sausage’s level of fat moisture, British food scientist Stuart Farrimond, a studier of sausage decibels told Extra Crispy in an interview.

Regardless of how these franks reach their high pitched yelps, I plan on playing these bizarre meat sounds on a loop for the rest of the day, and I invite you to do the same.

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Twitter will update its rules to prohibit ‘dehumanizing language’

We happen to know a certain Twitter user who really enjoys using dehumanizing language.

By Rachel Kraus2018-09-25 16:35:10 UTC

Call it the Alex Jones effect.

Twitter announced on Tuesday that it will update its rules to prohibit “dehumanizing language” on the platform. While it is still finalizing what this policy will look like through user feedback and internal review processes, this initiative could add a much-needed layer of clarity to Twitter’s sometimes opaque, yet narrow, rule violation policy.

“We want to expand our hateful conduct policy to include content that dehumanizes others based on their membership in an identifiable group, even when the material does not include a direct target,” Twitter’s Vijaya Gadde and Del Harvey wrote in a blog post.

Our hateful conduct policy is expanding to address dehumanizing language and how it can lead to real-world harm. The Twitter Rules should be easier to understand so we’re trying something new and asking you to be part of the development process. Read more and submit feedback.

— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) September 25, 2018

Twitter defines dehumanizing language as speech that denies people of human qualities through malicious comparisons to animals or objects. It cites research that links dehumanizing speech to real-world violence.

The policy has reportedly been in the works for the past three months, and it’s part of the company’s larger initiative to “improve conversational health” on the platform. Twitter is still actively working to define what “conversational health” actually means. But it has already taken several proactive steps that have shown a marked difference in decreasing trolling and bullying on the platform.

Encouragingly, Twitter is basing its dehumanizing language policy on academic research that shows the real world effect that demeaning people through dehumanization can have. For example, speech that equates a group with an animal or object is a “hallmark of dangerous speech, because it can make violence seem acceptable.”

Twitter users will have until Tuesday, October 9, at 6:00am PST to provide Twitter with feedback on the policy (you can do so here). Twitter then plans to update the rules “later this year.”

It’s difficult not to draw a connection between this new policy and the back-and-forth controversy surrounding Twitter’s eventual banning of Alex Jones. During that time, many criticized the way that Twitter was applying its hate speech policy to Jones; that is, it wasn’t. This new policy further defines the kind of speech disallowed by twitter, and broadens the scope of harmful speech beyond needing to include an individual “@.” Harvey and Gadde indeed addressed this need for further elucidation.

“There are still Tweets many people consider to be abusive, even when they do not break our rules,” the authors write. “Better addressing this gap is part of our work to serve a healthy public conversation.”

Mashable has reached out to Twitter to ask whether this policy will be enforceable retroactively, or if it will only apply going forward. We happen to know a certain Twitter user who enjoys comparing women to dogs to whom this new policy might apply.

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Lakers News: Rajon Rondo to Start over Lonzo Ball as PG Recovers from Surgery

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the press during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How/Getty Images

As Lonzo Ball continues to work his way back from offseason knee surgery, Rajon Rondo is expected to be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers coach Luke Walton informed ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (h/t ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk) of his decision at media day Monday.

Ball was diagnosed with a torn left meniscus in late June, according to Stadium’s Shams Charania, and underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in mid-July. That comes after Ball was limited to just 52 games as a rookie.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka announced last week, per Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell, that Ball has been “100 percent cleared by our medical staff to return to full basketball activity.” However, Walton previously made it known, according to Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Bresnahan, that Ball would not take part in five-on-five drills at the beginning of training camp because the team did not want to rush him back into action.

Also of note, Pelinka acknowledged to Bresnahan that Ball may not be able to play in the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 18.

While the 2017 No. 2 overall pick figures to be a big part of the Lakers’ future, the team is in a position to be cautious with Ball. After signing four-time NBA MVP LeBron James in July, the team added Rondo, among other veterans, as well.

Rondo is a four-time All-Star and an NBA champion who is a playmaker on offense and defense. Last season, he averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals with the New Orleans Pelicans. He helped New Orleans pull off a sweep of the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers before being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the second round.

Los Angeles is his sixth team in five seasons.

The 32-year-old point guard is viewed as one of the best passers in the game and is also a menace on the defensive end of the court. With his basketball IQ, the Lakers have a veteran who can help run the offense should Ball miss time. Not only that, but James can also handle the ball and run the point.

With the addition of James, the Lakers are no longer in rebuild mode. Their season will be judged off postseason success—or lack thereof. That means making sure Ball is 100 percent before putting him into the heat of action is crucial.

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