Gloria Steinem: Young women back Bernie Sanders because 'the boys are with Bernie

Opinion

During an interview on last night's Bill Maher show, the noted feminist Gloria Steinem suggestedthat young women support Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign because they want attention from men.

Steinem's comments came in response to a question about the base of support for Sanders and Hillary Clinton, respectively.

"When you’re young, you’re thinking, 'Where are the boys?' The boys are with Bernie."

To suggest, as Steinem seemed to do, that young women choose their candidate to attract men is profoundly sexist and condescending. It trivializes the voting preferences of a powerful group of voters: young voters — and particularly young women — while at the same time ignoring gay women.

SEE ALSO: The bros who love Bernie Sanders have become a sexist mob

Steinem's observation also ignores the legitimate gains that Sanders has made among young people. We saw that clearly in Iowa where Sanders defeated Clinton among voters ages 17 to 29 by 70%. That's almost double the margin by which then-Senator Barack Obama won that age group in Iowa in 2008.

Here's a radical idea: Perhaps the women who turned out for Sanders in Iowa aren't boy-crazy. Perhaps they are voters who decided, after hearing the candidates make their arguments, that Sanders is the best candidate to lead the country when Obama leaves office.

Perhaps instead of writing off these voters as lovesick young girls who haplessly follow men to the ballot box, Steinem and others should talk to these young women to try to better understand what makes them Feel The Bern.

The condescension aside, this is also a pretty shocking reversal for Steinem, who, as The New Republic's Elizabeth Bruenig pointed out, once deemed Sanders an "honorary woman" during his 1996 campaign against a Republican woman.

Steinem is a Clinton supporter and wrote rather movingly this year about some of the ugliness that has been hurled Clinton's way by political opponents, dating back to former President Bill Clinton's time at the White House. There's undoubtably a lot of that during this cycle too. I've seen it on the road, on Reddit and on Twitter.

But two wrongs don't make a right. And on this point, Steinem is just dead wrong.

As a relatively young woman (I cast my first vote for President in 2008) and particularly as a black young woman in America, I value my vote and the fight by generations of organizers it took to secure it. It's a responsibility I and many of my friends take incredibly seriously and for anyone to suggest otherwise is frankly insulting.

Sorry, but when I decide who to vote for on Election Day, it will be the person I think can best represent the country, not the candidate that will most impress my boyfriend.

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Mark Zuckerberg vows to 'fight to protect' Muslims on Facebook

After a controversial week in American politics, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and cofounder of Facebook, has shared his support for Muslims around the world.

In a short Facebook post on Wednesday, Zuckerberg pledged his support for Muslims, informing the Facebook community that the social network is "a peaceful and safe environment."

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg's paternity leave hobbies are posting cute baby pictures and jumping into Facebook comments

Though he didn't name names, Zuckerberg is likely referring to statements delivered by presidential candidate Donald Trump, who this week called for a total ban on Muslims entering the U.S.

In the post, Zuckerberg used his own faith and upbringing to share his ideals on how attacks on freedoms affect everyone.

"As a Jew, my parents taught me that we must stand up against attacks on all communities," Zuckerberg wrote. "Even if an attack isn't against you today, in time attacks on freedom for anyone will hurt everyone."

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Vertical running: Elite athletes race up skyscrapers

HONG KONG — One of the most grueling races in the world — up a 484-meter-tall tower — took elite runner Darren Wilson 11 minutes and 56 seconds to complete.

Wilson jokes that he must be "certifiably crazy."

Here's why: On Sunday morning, Wilson and two dozen other elite runners were among hundreds of participants who sprinted up the interior stairwells of the International Commerce Centre. At 118 stories, the tower is the tallest building in Hong Kong, and among the world's tallest structures.

The run took them to the 100th of the ICC's 118 floors in 2,120 painful steps. Wilson, a wiry 40-year-old from Adelaide, Australia, finished first in just under 12 minutes, pumping the air as he crossed the finish line before slumping to the floor for a well-deserved rest.

Suzy Walsham, 41, equally wiry and also from Australia, was the fastest woman, with her 13 minutes 47 seconds beating her last best time by nearly a minute.

An ordinary person would probably take an hour or two to to climb all those stairs on foot. But there's always the option of using an elevator — the express lift to the ICC's observation deck takes just 60 seconds.

Walsham and Wilson are among a growing number of people who have embraced "vertical running" as a sport.

“I just love it,” said Wilson, who got the vertical-running bug partly because of the training he does for his job as a firefighter. “For me, when I see skyscrapers on television or in the movies, I think 'I want climb that.'”

The concept of vertical running –- basically, running up skyscrapers -– has been around for many years. But it was not until 2009 that the Vertical World Circuit, a series of races up some of the world's tallest buildings, was launched as an annual event.

This year's season started with a dash up the Empire State Building in New York in February, and included buildings in Spain, France and Brazil, among others.

That four of the eight 2014 races took place in Asia (in addition to Hong Kong, there was Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing) is no accident, according to Lauri van Houten, vice-president of the International Skyrunning Federation. “There's been massive growth in the number of skyscrapers in the region in just the last few years,” she said.

Here's a sense of just how massive that growth is: China alone will have 154office towers taller than 300 meters by 2018, according to a report published in July. The United States will have 23.

Next year's locations and schedule have not yet been announced, but Hong Kong and New York are sure to feature again. Organizers are also working to get other skyscrapers, such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai — the world's tallest building — on the list.

For many vertical-racing aficionados, the Vertical World Circuit series is an excuse to travel, and see the world. Views from many of the buildings are breathtaking:

But stair-running is also a serious physical challenge.

Ten minutes of walking uphill burns up 10 times more calories than 10 minutes of the same exercise on flat ground, partly because you're fighting gravity,according to data posted by Vertical World Circuit.

Many of the competing runners go two steps at a time; they also use railings to help pull themselves up, and to negotiate the corners inside the stairwells.

“The last 20 floors are always the hardest. It becomes hard to just lift your legs, and your heart rate goes through the roof,” said Walsham, whose training schedule includes gym sessions, 10-kilometer runs and racing up residential buildings in Singapore, where she works for an accounting firm.

“It's a huge challenge –- it's like it's you against the building, rather than you against the other athletes. Whether you win or not, if you finish, you conquer the building.”

The Taipei 101 in Taiwan is the hardest of the current series, according to Omar Bekkali of Belgium, who was the only runner on Sunday to have done all eight races this year.

“It's really tough — the steps in the Taipei 101 are a little higher than in the other buildings; you can really feel it,” said Omar, who came in fourth place in Hong Kong on Sunday.

For Wilson, the Sunday race was his first victory at the ICC, and he shaved seven seconds off the previous record, set last year by another Australian, Mark Bourne.

Wilson has a tattoo of the Empire State Building on the back of his left calf. Now, he may just have to add one of the ICC.

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After a shocking month, Jose Canseco searches for a wife via Twitter

Jose Canseco, the former Major League Baseball outfielder infamous for his use of performance-enhancing drugs, has hit a new low. The troubled sports star has offered his hand in marriage along with a bonus green card. On Twitter.

It is the latest incident in a string of social media interactions that balance the fine line between heartbreaking and humorous. It is difficult to tell whether Canseco is having a laugh, or whether he is crying himself to sleep.

The recent fall from grace started when Canseco accidentally shot his middle finger off on Oct. 28, when he was cleaning a gun in the home he shared with his fiancee, model Leila Knight.

“He had been at the shooting range a few days earlier. He didn’t know it was loaded,” Knight told the New York Daily News. “The middle finger was hanging by a thread, and I wrapped his hand in a towel and then called 911."

Doctors reattached the 50-year-old's finger and police declared the incident an "accident," but it was the start of strange things to come. Not long after the finger-losing debacle, Canseco used Twitter to rant about the media's coverage of that day.

So to really show everyone, on Nov. 15, Canseco took to his favourite social media platform again to tell the world that he was playing poker when his re-attached middle finger fell off, but that it was for the best because it was "smelling bad."

Five days later and after a lot of speculation, TMZ reported Canseco admitted the entire thing was a hoax. Not long after, he also admitted his five-year relationship with Leila had come to an end.

It has been a war of he-says-she-says ever since Leila called 911 on Nov. 22 to report a domestic incident involving Canseco, claiming she was locked in the bathroom as he had threatened to kill her and her mother multiple times. Canseco refutes these claims and has called for a polygraph at least seven times on Twitter.

Then came the moment things became really odd. After appearing to lose all that was close to him, Canseco decided there was only one way to move on was with a tweet proposal to Shania Twain (now removed), including a topless photo of the former Bash Brother. That would show Leila what she was missing. Unfortunately, Twain is already settled with husband Frederic Thiebaud and no amount of begging would get her to respond.

After having his heartbroken twice in nine days, Canesco did the only obvious thing left. He begged publicly for a wife.

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U.S. sends 6 Guantanamo Bay prisoners to Uruguay to be resettled as refugees

MIAMI — Six prisoners held for 12 years at Guantanamo Bay have been sent to Uruguay to be resettled as refugees, the U.S. government announced Sunday — a deal that had been delayed for months by security concerns at the Pentagon and political considerations in the South American country.

The six men — four Syrians, a Tunisian and a Palestinian — are the first prisoners transferred to South America from the U.S. base in Cuba, part of a flurry of recent releases amid a renewed push by U.S. President Barack Obama to close the prison.

SEE ALSO: U.S. sends 5 Guantanamo prisoners to Georgia, Slovakia

All were detained as suspected militants with ties to al-Qaeda in 2002, but were never charged. They had been cleared for release since 2009, but could not be sent home, and the U.S. struggled to find countries willing to take them.

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica agreed to accept the men as a humanitarian gesture, and said they would be given help getting established in a country with a tiny Muslim population of perhaps 300 people.

"We are very grateful to Uruguay for this important humanitarian action, and to President Mujica for his strong leadership in providing a home for individuals who cannot return to their own countries," U.S. State Department envoy Clifford Sloan said.

Among those transferred was Abu Wa'el Dhiab, a 43-year-old Syrian on a long-term hunger strike protesting his confinement, who was at the center of a legal battle in U.S. courts over the military's use of force-feeding.

The Pentagon identified the other Syrians sent to Uruguay on Saturday as Ali Husain Shaaban, 32; Ahmed Adnan Ajuri, 37; and Abdelahdi Faraj, 39. Also released were Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Abdullah Taha Mattan, 35, and 49-year-old Adel bin Muhammad El Ouerghi of Tunisia.

Uruguayan officials declined comment Sunday on the transfers. Adriana Ramos, a receptionist at a military hospital in Montevideo, the capital, said the six men were being examined there, but declined to provide any details.

Cori Crider, a lawyer for Dhiab from the human rights group Reprieve, praised Mujica, a former political prisoner himself, for accepting the men.

"Despite years of suffering, Mr. Dhiab is focused on building a positive future for himself in Uruguay," said Crider, who traveled to Montevideo to meet with him, and was concerned about his health after his prolonged hunger strike. "He looks forward to being reunited with his family and beginning his life again."

Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer for Faraj, said he was "deeply grateful" to Uruguay for accepting the prisoner.

"By welcoming our client and the others as refugees and free men, not as prisoners, Uruguay has shown that it truly possesses the courage of its convictions," Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York, said in an interview from Panama.

"We hope that other countries in Latin America and throughout the world will soon follow Uruguay's example, and help put an end to the U.S. government's shameful practice of indefinite imprisonment without charge or fair process," he added.

The U.S. has now transferred 19 prisoners out of Guantanamo this year — all but one of them within the last 30 days. Saturday's move brings the total number of prisoners still at Guantanamo to 136 — the lowest number since shortly after the prison opened in January 2002. Officials say several more releases are expected by the end of the year.

Obama administration officials had been frustrated that the transfer took so long, blaming outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for not approving the move sooner. They said after Mujica had agreed to take the men in January, the deal sat for months on Hagel's desk, awaiting his signature as required by law. The Pentagon didn't send notification of the transfer to U.S. Congress until July.

By then, the transfer had become an issue in Uruguay's political election, and officials there decided to postpone it until after the vote. Tabare Vazquez, a member of Mujica's ruling coalition and a former president, won a runoff election on Nov. 30.

Upon taking office, Obama had pledged to close the prison, but was blocked by Congress, which banned sending prisoners to the U.S. for any reason, including trial, and placed restrictions on sending them abroad.

The slow pace of releases has created a tense atmosphere inside the prison. A hunger strike that began in February 2013 totaled about 100 prisoners at its peak, including Dhiab and Faraj.

The U.S. now holds 67 men at Guantanamo who have been cleared for release or transfer, but like the six sent to Uruguay, can't go home because they might face persecution, a lack of security or other reasons.

Prisoners from Guantanamo have been sent around the world, but this weekend's transfer was the largest group sent to the Western Hemisphere. Four Guantanamo prisoners were sent to Bermuda in 2009, and two were sent to El Salvador in 2012, but have since left.

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Typhoon Hagupit begins agonizingly slow trek across Philippines, deadly floods likely

Typhoon Hagupit, which was once the strongest typhoon of the year, is making landfall as of 10:15 a.m. ET (9:15 a.m. local time) near the northern edge of the Philippine island of Samar, close to the community of Dolores. The storm is the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of about 125 miles per hour.

Samar was also the landfall location of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which killed at least 6,000 people, and displaced more than 100,000. However, that storm hit the island's southern edge.

While Typhoon Hagupit, which is also known as Typhoon Ruby in the Philippines, is nowhere near the intensity of Haiyan, its slow forward speed of about 13 miles per hour poses a different threat: flooding. Tropical storms and typhoons can dump incredible amounts of rainfall and rain totals with Hagupit may exceed 2 feet in some places, particularly where winds blow up the slope of mountains, since this can enhance rainfall in a process known as orographic lifting.

Evacuations have been underway since Thursday for parts of Samar, including the city of Tacloban, which Haiyan severely damaged. International aid organizations, from Heifer International to the Red Cross, already have large teams on the ground in Samar that have been assisting with evacuations. They have also been preparing to undertake relief operations once dangerous storm conditions abate. However, It does not appear that Tacloban is taking the brunt of the storm.

Coastal areas of northern Samar are being warned to prepare for a storm surge of 15 feet.

From Samar, the typhoon is predicted to slowly hopscotch across at least five more islands in the Philippines, bringing the risk of flooding, storm surge and high winds all the way to the capital city of Manila.

While the worst of the storm's winds are buffeting Samar, and the storm is in a weakening phase, it will likely remain a formidable typhoon all the way to Manila.

Next to feel the full force of the storm is the island of Masbate, including Masbate City, followed by Romblon, Mandoro and southern portions of Leyte, including low-lying and flood-prone Manila.

Even in the United States, floods are an underemphasized hazard of tropical cyclones, since the high wind and storm surge often get the most attention. However, floods can and do kill many more people, even from weaker storms. This is a particularly high threat in developing countries such as the Philippines, where a rapidly growing population has increased the public's exposure to landslides and other typhoon-related hazards.

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United Arab Emirates Plans to Create Space Program, Land Mars Probe

The United Arab Emirates has jumped into the international space race at a full sprint,announcing plans on Wednesday to create a space program and send an unmanned probe to Mars by 2021.

"The UAE Mars probe represents the Islamic world’s entry into the era of space exploration," UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, according to Reuters. "We will prove that we are capable of delivering new scientific contributions to humanity."

SEE ALSO: 15 Twitter Accounts Every Space Lover Should Follow

The proposed space program is the latest costly project for the country, which has one of the top 10 GDP per capita income in the world. It previously constructed the world's tallest skyscraper and recently announced plans to create a climate-controlled city.

In the statement announcing the space program, officials said they are seeking to foster growth in the country's technology sectors and diversify its economy. According to the National, the UAE has already invested 20 billion dirhams (approximately $5.9 billion) in space technology, and plans to launch the Mars probe in 2021 in tandem with its 50th anniversary.

If successful, the UAE would join the U.S. and Russia as one of the only countries to successfully send an unmanned probe to Mars. However, Haym Benaroya, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Rutgers University, said he is skeptical about the project's plausibility.

"I certainly support them doing it, it's a great thing to do, but I think they'll have a hard time doing that by 2021," he told Mashable. "I'm sure eventually they could do it if they wanted to, but Mars has a long history of being difficult to land on, even for the U.S. and Russia, who have a lot more experience."

Benaroya added that in a half century of sending missions to Mars, only 50% have made it to their destination. "My view is that its a positive thing they want to do, but I think it might be more difficult than they anticipate, so the timeline they gave themselves might be really challenging," he said. "If I were advising the UAE I would advise them to go to the moon first."

The mission would last from 9 months to a year depending on when the probe, which would travel 37.5 million-miles, is launched.

Despite doubts about the UAE's ability to complete the project, the country remains confident in its mission.

“We chose the epic challenge of reaching Mars because epic challenges inspire us and motivate us," President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said. "The moment we stop taking on such challenges is the moment we stop moving forward.”

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Drone Beat: Flying in Gaza, at a Congressman's Wedding and More

The U.S. government uses them to bomb alleged terrorists in far-away places. Tech companies like Amazon, Google and Facebook are all toying with the idea of using them, and now they're a photographer's secret weapon. Drones are a big part of our lives, whether we see them or not. Drone Beat collects the best and most important stories every week.

Judge delivers another blow to the FAA

For the second time in just over four months, a judge has ruled against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a case involving drones.

On Friday, an appeals court judge said that EquuSearch, a Texas-based company that uses UAVs for search and rescue operations can legally fly its drones, and that the cease and desist email that the FAA sent the group earlier this year didn't have any legal effects, as reported byMotherboard.

The ruling was a win for EquuSearch, which will resume its drone flights right away. However, the ruling doesn't address the larger issues regarding drone regulation, which at this point aremurky, but it's a huge loss for the FAA, which has to face yet another court ruling saying that the agency is on shaky ground when it comes to preventing pilots from flying drones.

"The court's decision in favor of the FAA regarding the Texas EquuSearch matter has no bearing on the FAA's authority to regulate" drones, the agency said in a statement. "The FAA remains legally responsible for the safety of the national airspace system. This authority is designed to protect users of the airspace as well as people and property on the ground."

Drone wars between Israel and Hamas

Earlier this week, Israel claimed to have shot down a drone controlled by Hamas. The militants later claimed to have developed three types of drones, including two capable of carrying out attacks.

The group even posted a video on YouTube purportedly showing one of the drones, seemingly armed with missiles — although experts consulted by Mashable were skeptical of the drone's real capabilities.

Congressman hires drone to shoot wedding, gets investigated

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) paid an aerial photography company to shoot his wedding with a drone last month, as revealed this week.

As we've noted repeatedly, the FAA says that the commercial use of drones — including hiring photography companies to take pictures using them — is prohibited. Perhaps Maloney was unaware of the regulations? Probably not, since he actually sits on a congressional subcommittee that oversees the FAA itself.

In any case, his use of flying bots to film his wedding is now under FAA investigation.

As Quartz noted, Maloney is hardly the only one who is doing this. Several photography companies are offering their services for weddings

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10 Serene Summer Destinations for Avoiding the World Cup Crowds

This June, the World Cup will draw thousands of soccer fans to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For soccer fans, the host city is the ultimate summer destination.

For the rest of us, however, this is an excellent time not to go to Rio. A trip to the Brazilian capital city for the World Cup from June 14-21, including roundtrip airfare from New York and a six-night hotel stay, will cost about $3,800 per person, according to travel booking site Priceline.com.

Rio is a popular tourist destination even when it isn't hosting the biggest sports tournament in the world, and the World Cup has increased demand for flights by 222% and demand for hotels by 306%, according to Kayak.com.

If you're looking for a cheaper summer trip, here are 10 alternatives that offer all the sun and sand without the crowds. (Listed rates are based on packages listed on Priceline.com the week of April 21, 2014. Prices are per person and include airfare from New York City.)

1. Cape Town, South Africa

People make use of good weather conditions as they kite surf at Scarborough, on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014.

IMAGE: SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Veneto Hotel Package: $922

Cape Town has mountains, beaches, amazing vineyards and a somber yet inspiring history.

Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into South Africa's past. Buildings on the island were used as prisons and hospitals for those deemed socially undesirable. The island represents "the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom and of democracy over oppression," according to UNESCO.

2. Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers tourists sandy beaches and tropical forests.

IMAGE: FLICKR, ALEX DE CARVALHO

Barcelo Tambor Beach Hotel Package: $1,070

Not much needs to be said about Costa Rica, which has been a popular destination for years. There are beaches, there are zip lines through tropical forests, there are turtles ... You'll forget all about Rio as soon as you arrive.

The popularity of this Central American country has made it a prime destination for scoring travel deals.

3. Panama City, Panama

Panama City has a population of nearly 900,000 people.

IMAGE: FLICKR, ADAM REEDER

Panama Marriott Package: $1,187

This summer marks the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal. What better way to mark the centennial than by visiting one of Central America's most cosmopolitan cities?

In addition to the canal, the city has a rich cultural heritage. (And the beaches aren't bad, either.)

4. Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel is a vacationer's paradise.

IMAGE: FLICKR, GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA

Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel Package: $1,200

The island of Cozumel has snorkeling, sunbathing and the kind of beaches you've been daydreaming about.

Located off the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Cozumel gets its name from the Mayan "Ah Cuzamil Peten," which translates as the "Island of Swallows."

5. Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is a less-visited destination in Colombia, but that makes it easy to avoid the crowds.

IMAGE: FLICKR, PEDRO SZEKELY

Radisson Cartagena Ocean Pavilion Package: $1,421

Beautiful architecture and vivid colors are abundant in the city, and the food scene has taken off in recent years, giving tourists a wide variety of culinary experiences to choose from.

6. Phuket, Thailand

Thailand’s sapphire blue waters, wildlife parks, delicious cuisine and raunchy red light districts have attracted tourists for decades.

IMAGE: SAKCHAI LALIT/ASSOCIATED PRESS

JW Marriott Phuket Package: $1,970

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, offering beaches, deep-sea diving and luxurious resorts.

There are some great surfing spots around the island, and with average temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you won't want to get out of the water.

7. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik old town is pictured from Srdj, the hill above the city, Friday, April 26, 2013.

IMAGE: DARKO BANDIC/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Package: $2,400

The city of Dubrovnik in Croatia has a wall around it that dates back to medieval times. Not only is it historic, it's gorgeous, too.

8. Sydney, Australia

Artist Nerine's sculpture "Life Boat/Thuyen cuu roi" seen at Sculptures by the sea in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.

IMAGE: ROB GRIFFITH/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Holiday Inn Darling Harbour Package: $2,507

Sydney is home to the famous Bondi and Manly Beaches, among others. The iconic Sydney Opera House is also a must-see.

9. Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain

The beach cities in Spain are a popular destination among northern Europeans.

IMAGE: FLICKR, HANNU MAKARAINEN

Puente Romano Hotel Package: $2,686

Marbella has long been a choice destination among celebrities and aristocrats, and it's easy to see why.

This Spanish city is situated on the idyllic Mediterranean, between Málaga and Gibraltar. There are more than 20 beaches and summer festivals keep the party going all night long.

10. Cairns, Australia

A koala at the Cairns Wildlife Dome.

IMAGE: FLICKR, MICKITAKESPICTURES

Hilton Cairns Package: $2,777

Activities in Cairns are all about enjoying what nature has to offer.

After you go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and hang out with koalas in the Cairns Wildlife Dome, soccer will be the last thing on your mind.

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