Instant Alert: Inside Taylor Swift's $17 million seaside mansion where she hosts A-list parties

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Inside Taylor Swift's $17 million seaside mansion where she hosts A-list parties

by Megan Willett and John Lynch on Jul 31, 2016, 10:16 PM

Taylor Swift Watch Hill rhode islandTaylor Swift bought an 11,000-square-foot Rhode Island mansion for $17.75 million in 2013, and she reportedly paid for it in cash.

Since then, the musician has put her hard-earned, lavish home to good use by hosting numerous parties with famous friends, known as her squad.

Built in 1930, the mansion sits on the highest point in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and features 700 feet of shoreline and views of Little Narragansett Bay, according to the real-estate site Zillow.

It includes eight bedrooms, eight fireplaces, and a pool in the back, which was the site of a notable Fourth of July party that Swift hosted this month.

Check out the inside of Swift's home and see her A-list parties in action:

SEE ALSO: No one wants to buy 50 Cent's incredible $6 million mansion that he's been forced to sell due to bankruptcy

MORE HERE: Inside Drake's $8 million mansion with a pool that puts Hugh Hefner to shame

This is High Watch in Rhode Island, Taylor Swift's seaside mansion.



She reportedly paid for the mansion by wiring $17.75 million in cash to a realtor in 2013.

Source: TMZ



Inside, Swift's pad has over 11,000 square feet of space.



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Instant Alert: 'I am appalled': 2 prominent Republicans delivered blistering rebukes of Trump's attacks on the Khan family

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'I am appalled': 2 prominent Republicans delivered blistering rebukes of Trump's attacks on the Khan family

by Allan Smith on Jul 31, 2016, 9:39 PM

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Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire delivered blistering rebukes of Donald Trump on Sunday for his attacks against the family of slain Muslim American soldier Humayun Khan, who was killed serving the US during the Iraq War.

"This is going to a place where we’ve never gone before, to push back against the families of the fallen," Graham said in a statement to ABC. "There used to be some things that were sacred in American politics – that you don’t do – like criticizing the parents of a fallen soldier even if they criticize you."

Graham, who was at one time a 2016 presidential hopeful, has not endorsed Trump.

"If you’re going to be the leader of the free world, you have to be able to accept criticism," the South Carolina Republican said. "Mr. Trump can’t. The problem is, 'unacceptable' doesn’t even begin to describe it."

Ayotte, who's said she will vote for Trump, said she was "appalled" by the Republican nominee's attacks. The New Hampshire senator's husband is an Iraq War veteran.

"There is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one’s life for their country, and that’s the sacrifice that Captain Humayun Khan made fighting to defend our freedom and our constitutional rights," Ayotte said in a statement. "He was a true American hero. The Khan family deserves nothing less than our deepest support, respect, and gratitude, and they have every right to express themselves in any way they choose."

"I am appalled that Donald Trump would disparage them and that he had the gall to compare his own sacrifices to those of a Gold Star family," she continued.

Kelly Ayotte

Trump suggested Sunday morning that he could not understand why he was earning scorn for questioning the pair of Gold Star parents who slammed him during a speech before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday.

"I was viciously attacked by Mr. Khan at the Democratic Convention," the Republican nominee for president asked in a tweet. "Am I not allowed to respond?"

Khizr and wife Ghazala Khan, the parents of Humayun, offered a powerful rebuke of Trump on the final night of the DNC.

In an eight-minute speech, delivered by Khizr, the family questioned whether the real estate magnate had ever read the US Constitution or sacrificed anything for his country.

Trump hit back on Saturday, suggesting Ghazala was not permitted to speak because of her Muslim religion. The billionaire further argued that he had indeed sacrificed for his country, saying he created jobs.

Trump’s remarks were widely condemned and the billionaire eventually began walking them back. In a Saturday night statement, he called the Khan’s son a “hero to our country” and tried to shift the issue to “the real problem” which he argued was “the radical Islamic terrorists who killed him.”

Khizr KhanKhizr Khan said Sunday that Trump's questions about his wife represent the "height of ignorance."

Ghazala Khan also wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post saying she didn’t speak at the DNC because she finds it too painful to think about her son.

“Without saying a thing, all the world, all America, felt my pain,” she wrote.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump's running mate, pushed out a statement late Sunday in an attempt to clear up the attacks.

Pence said he and Trump believe Khan "is an American hero and his family, like all Gold Star families, should be cherished by every American." 

"Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror," the Indiana governor, who is Trump's running mate, wrote. "Due to the disastrous decisions of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a once stable Middle East has now been overrun by ISIS. This must not stand."

"By suspending immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism, rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS at its source and projecting strength on the global stage, we will reduce the likelihood that other American families will face the enduring heartbreak of the Khan family," he said. "Donald Trump will support our military and their families and we will defeat the enemies of our freedom."

Oliver Darcy contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: Many Republicans are embracing Donald Trump's fierce trade rhetoric


 
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Instant Alert: China's manufacturing sector continues to splutter

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China's manufacturing sector continues to splutter

by David Scutt on Jul 31, 2016, 9:33 PM

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Activity levels across China’s manufacturing sector contracted last month for the first time since February, albeit by the smallest of margins.

The latest manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), released by China National Bureau of Statistics, came in at 49.9, fractionally below the 50.0 level expected by economists. It was the lowest level seen since February, and below the 50.0 level seen in June.

The index measures changes in activity levels from one month to the next. Anything above 50 signals growth, while anything below that level means contraction — so the higher the number the better.

Writing earlier today, Richard Grace, chief currency strategist at the Commonwealth Bank, suggested that the index was likely to fall below 50, signalling contraction, "because floods disrupted economic activity across large parts of China during the month."

China manufacturing PMI July 2016

According to the NBS, the weakness in July was concentrated in small and medium sized firms, offsetting an improvement in activity levels in larger manufacturing firms.

The large manufacturers PMI came in at 51.2, up from 51.0 in June. Elsewhere the readings for small and medium sized firms came in at 46.9 and 48.9, down from 47.4 and 49.1 reported in June.

Of the major subindices, output came in at 52.1, down from 52.5 in June, while new orders fell to 50.4, leaving it growing at the slowest pace since February this year.

After rising modestly in March and April, new export orders continued to decline — this time at a faster pace — with the subindex sliding to 49.0 from 49.6 in June.

Elsewhere readings on inventories, both of raw materials and finished goods, along with employment, imports and order backlogs, all continued to contract.

Despite the weak July report, manufacturers, as a whole, turned more optimistic on the outlook for activity levels with the subindex measuring expectations rising to 55.3 from 53.4.

While the manufacturing sector continued to splutter, there was better news elsewhere with the separate non-manufacturing PMI gauge, released in conjunction with the manufacturing PMI figure by the NBS, rising to 53.9 from 53.7 in June.

It now sits at the highest level seen since December last year, and indicates that activity levels across China’s non-manufacturing sectors — predominately services — are now expanding at a modest pace.

Given this sector is now the largest component of the Chinese economy, and also the fastest growing, the acceleration seen in July should help to offset weakness in the manufacturing report.

China non manufacturing PMI July 2016


 
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Instant Alert: 'Humayun Khan is an American hero': Mike Pence tries to clear up Donald Trump's attacks against the Khan family

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'Humayun Khan is an American hero': Mike Pence tries to clear up Donald Trump's attacks against the Khan family

by Allan Smith on Jul 31, 2016, 9:08 PM

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Donald Trump's running mate pushed out a statement late Sunday in an attempt to clear up attacks the Republican nominee made against the family of Capt. Humayun Khan, a Muslim American soldier who died fighting for the US during the Iraq War.

Mike Pence said he and Trump believe Khan "is an American hero and his family, like all Gold Star families, should be cherished by every American." 

"Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror," the Indiana governor, who is Trump's running mate, wrote. "Due to the disastrous decisions of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a once stable Middle East has now been overrun by ISIS. This must not stand."

"By suspending immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism, rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS at its source and projecting strength on the global stage, we will reduce the likelihood that other American families will face the enduring heartbreak of the Khan family," he said. "Donald Trump will support our military and their families and we will defeat the enemies of our freedom."

Trump suggested Sunday morning that he could not understand why he was earning scorn for questioning the pair of Gold Star parents who slammed him during a speech before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday.

“I was viciously attacked by Mr. Khan at the Democratic Convention," the Republican nominee for president asked in a tweet. Am I not allowed to respond?” 

Khizr and wife Ghazala Khan, the parents of Humayun, offered a powerful rebuke to Trump on the final night of the DNC.

In an eight-minute speech, delivered by Khizr, the family questioned whether the New York businessman had ever read the US Constitution or sacrificed anything for his country.

Trump hit back on Saturday, suggesting Ghazala was not permitted to speak because of her Muslim religion. The billionaire further argued that he had indeed sacrificed for his country, saying he created jobs.

Trump’s remarks were widely condemned and the billionaire eventually began walking them back. In a Saturday night statement, he called the Khan’s son a “hero to our country” and tried to shift the issue to “the real problem” which he argued was “the radical Islamic terrorists who killed him.”

Khizr Khan said Sunday that Trump's questions about his wife represent the "height of ignorance."

Ghazala Khan also wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post saying she didn’t speak at the DNC because she finds it too painful to think about her son.

“Without saying a thing, all the world, all America, felt my pain,” she wrote.

Oliver Darcy contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: Many Republicans are embracing Donald Trump's fierce trade rhetoric


 
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Instant Alert: RANKED: The 20 best TV shows of the year so far, according to critics

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RANKED: The 20 best TV shows of the year so far, according to critics

by Jethro Nededog on Jul 31, 2016, 7:37 PM

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Summer isn't the TV wasteland it used to be.

This used to be a time when fans could catch up on shows they missed via reruns, but we have streaming services for that now.

It also used to be the season when networks aired shows that wouldn't have a chance during the proper fall/spring schedules, but now it's the time for critically acclaimed shows like Lifetime's "UnReal" and HBO's "The Night Of."

But are the summer shows hotter than what we've seen so far in 2016?

Metacritic keeps track of a curated group of critics, assigns each review a number according to how positive or negative it was, and then creates a weighted average score for each show.

We looked at how this year's offerings stack up on the scores, and you'll likely be surprised by what missed the cut. (Sorry, "Game of Thrones" and "Mr. Robot.")

Here are the 20 most critically acclaimed TV shows of 2016 so far, according to Metacritic:

SEE ALSO: The 10 TV shows that everyone is buzzing about at Comic-Con

DON'T MISS: The 10 favorite TV shows of Democrats and Republicans

20. 'Roots' (History)

Score: 83



19. 'Penny Dreadful' (Showtime)

Score: 83



18. 'The Dresser' (Starz)

Score: 84



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Instant Alert: 15 documentaries on Netflix right now that will make you smarter

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15 documentaries on Netflix right now that will make you smarter

by Jason Guerrasio on Jul 31, 2016, 7:09 PM

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One of the great things about Netflix is that it has brought thoughtful, compelling documentaries to a much wider audience that filmmakers could only dream of a decade ago.

And with binge-worthy titles like “Making a Murderer” and the vast ESPN “30 for 30” library being just a click away, you can get a lot of great nonfiction viewing any night of the week. You'll learn a lot more about the world, but don't worry — you'll also be entertained.

Here are 15 documentaries we think you should stream right away on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: All the "Avengers" and Marvel fans who nailed their cosplay at Comic-Con

1. "30 for 30" ESPN movies

Pretty much any “30 for 30” title is worth your time. The documentaries that highlight moments in sports that you may or may not be aware of are both entertaining and filled with emotion. A few we highly recommend: “No Crossover: The Tale of Allen Iverson”; “June 17th, 1994,” which looks at everything that happened in the world of sports at the time of O.J. Simpson's Bronco chase; “I Hate Christian Laettner”; and likely available in 2017 will be ESPN’s new masterwork, “O.J.: Made in America." 



2. "The Act of Killing"

Joshua Oppenheimer’s Oscar-nominated doc looks at the Indonesian genocide by having death-squad leaders reenact their mass killings. The results are both comical and heart-wrenching. 



3. "Blackfish"

Why is Sea World going to end killer-whale shows? It’s because of this incredible movie that looks at the abuse these magnificent creatures have endured for decades.



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Instant Alert: Many Republicans are embracing Donald Trump's fierce trade rhetoric

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Many Republicans are embracing Donald Trump's fierce trade rhetoric

by Allan Smith on Jul 31, 2016, 6:25 PM

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Many Republicans are moving closer to Donald Trump's trade platform, breaking with decades of Republican orthodoxy on the issue.

Trump has championed a fierce anti-free trade agenda along the trail. The Republican nominee frequently rips the North American Free Trade Agreement as the worst trade deal in history and has said the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is pending congressional approval, will continue the "rape of our country."

Traditionally, Republicans have been on the side of unrestricted free trade with foreign nations.

Take Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, for example. Branstad's state relies heavily on exports for its rich agricultural economy. In 2011, he wrote a letter to President Barack Obama asking his administration and Congress to enact pending trade agreements, estimating that in the beef, pork, and poultry industries in his state, the agreements would add roughly 5,000 jobs. In 2015, Branstad, along with Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds led trade missions to South Korea and Brazil, with Branstad saying in a release that his state has "reaped benefits" from such missions.

Speaking to Business Insider at the Republican convention, the longest serving governor in US history labeled Trump's position as "not really anti-trade, he's just anti-stupid decisions." 

"And what I take it is as constructive criticism that we need to cut a better deal that treat America better," he said at a lunch for the Iowa delegation in Cleveland, adding, "We got to continue to break down barriers. We need free trade, it's absolutely critical for agriculture and for job growth."

He mentioned Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and his prior defense of free trade as proof that Trump's position won't be too far from his own. 

"So I believe that Trump understands that we need to do a better job of protecting America's interests, but that doesn't mean we don't negotiate and try to get the best agreements we can get," he said. "We just got to quit doing stupid things like the Iran deal and some of these things."

Terry Branstad

Just this week, Trump hammered Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for flipping her position on TPP from when she was secretary of state, saying she "lied" about it and insisting she will pass the landmark trade agreement between pacific-rim nations while in office.

The strong position against America's trade agreements is more typical of the country's left wing. During this week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, some of the strongest anti-Clinton sentiment at the convention came from supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont cheering "no TPP" and holding up signs that said the same.

"I think in the end of the day, with the choice between the Democratic stand and our stand, I think people like farmers and businesses that are interested in this understand that Trump's a better choice," he said. "Now, I understand and I think there's some validity to the criticism that he's made."

Rob Portman, a Republican Ohio senator locked in a tough reelection bout against former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, is more connected to free trade than pretty much anyone else in Washington. Portman was a huge proponent of NAFTA and the Central American Free Trade Agreement while he served in the House. And Portman served as the US Trade Representative under President George W. Bush.

He's found himself frequently under attack from Strickland, who voted against NAFTA while he served in the House, for his support of free trade.

With Trump in town for the Republican convention last week, Portman, who is supporting Trump, told reporters at an event he hosted in the city that both he and Trump have "pushed back on China" when he was asked about how his position on free trade could jive with Trump's.

"I've pushed back on Republicans as it relates to China," he said, adding that the Senate Finance Committee, of which he's a member of, has had "some success" with "cracking down on Chinese imports."

Rob Portman

Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee echoed some of Portman's sentiment, saying that Trump and his supporters are for "free and fair trade" but just don't like "what we have with China."

"I think that what we hear from people and Mr. Trump is right in line with people and that is if they are for free and fair trade," she said. "Indeed you know people like to be able to manufacture for export."

Marsha Blackburn"What they don't like is what we have with China, where we have a $380 million dollar a year trade deficit," she continued. "They're tired of jobs going overseas, and the money for products on our shelves is going overseas."

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, one of Trump's top supporters, told Business Insider on the floor of the convention that he thinks his fellow colleagues are moving closer to positions held by Trump and himself on trade. During his convention speech last week, Sessions said Trump would help end "Obamatrade."

"The data that's coming in that I don't think a lot of our people knew," he said. "The economic models that predicted how the trade agreements would work have not been accurate. They're very flawed."

"I mean I voted for the trade agreements too in the past, but I think the American people are getting wise," he said. "They felt it before the Wall Street and academic economists felt it."

He called for all of America's trade agreements to be "bilateral" — negotiated solely between the US and one country on a deal-by-deal basis.

Jeff Sessions

Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, another early supporter of Trump, said he doesn't believe TPP is going to be making it through Congress in a Trump presidency. 

"He has said and I take him at his word that he will renegotiate them to make them fair for America," Shuster told Business Insider at a breakfast for the Pennsylvania delegation last week in Cleveland. 

The chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said that, although he "can't speak" for all his fellow House Republicans, people he's close to have "always been very leery of these free trade agreements."

"It happens under Republican presidents, but it's really happened under this one," he said. "We need a fair deal."

Bill ShusterRep. Tom MacArthur of New Jersey agreed with Shuster. He told Business Insider that he thinks Obama's biggest problem is that he "wants to get deals done at all costs."

The New Jersey congressman — the only Republican from New Jersey's House representation attending the Cleveland convention — said the new platform language on trade in a post-nominee Trump world is not all that different from where the party has been in the past.

"All it does is say that trade for trade's sake is not...it's trade that's good for America, trade that creates jobs here at home, trade that doesn't allow places to take advantage of us," he said. "I support that, that is what we need, and by the way we haven't had that. We have a president who wants to get deals done at all costs. So we can say he got the deal done, and we've had bad political deals and bad trade deals as a result."

Shuster's fellow Pennsylvania congressman, Rep. Keith Rothfus, also expressed "doubts" that TPP will be approved, adding that he was "one of the Republicans who was very concerned with where the Trade Promotion Authority was going under this president."

He also said he lacks confidence Obama is able to get the best deal done for America.

"I think Donald Trump will be looking out for that," he told Business Insider last week. "Look, 95% of the consumers are outside of the United States, 75% of the wealth is outside the United States, we've got to be engaged in the world, and I would expect that Donald Trump would be looking for places for our products."

SEE ALSO: Here's what went down at the Republican National Convention


 
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